A Latin American Xmas

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The Latin American Christmas in BritainDecember 22, 2011 6:07 am 0 comments

Being thousands of miles from home can leave one feeling homesick, especially over Christmas, but a fewreminders of one’s native land can make all the difference.






Graham Vincent

For the UK’s Latin American population, this is especially resonant. What are the differences between a LatinAmerican Christmas on these shores, and a typically British one?

Brits look forward to Christmas from late September, when the storm clouds begin to roll in and the drudgery of the9-5 takes over.

Thoughts of parties, free flowing alcohol, the mothers roast dinner and perhaps even a cheeky kiss under themistletoe are all prominent in the mind of a typical Brit. Especially the alcohol.

But for a people perhaps unaccustomed to such brazen attitudes towards liquor, it may be difficult to celebrateChristmas in their customary manner.

The Latin American community in Britain in sizeable, estimated tobe 186,500, of which 113,000 are in London alone. How will they celebrate Christmas on the other side of theAtlantic in multicultural Britain?

The family is of paramount importance in Latin American society, as is their love of meat. But this is no different totheir British counterparts.

It is with dancing and religion that the two cultures differ. Latin Americans love nothing more than a good rumba,to the point where it even surpasses food and drink in importance.

It will be no different for them in the UK. The Latin American society at the University of Sheffield, for instance,organised the annual Traditional Latin American Christmas Celebration, a key component of which is bailando –dancing.






Visitors to the celebration indulged in the most popular dance forLatin Americans – Salsa. With origins in Cuba and Afro-Cuban dance, salsa has many different styles depending onthe country it is practiced.

They also delighted in Merengue, a higher tempo dance from the Dominican Republic; Cumbia, a genre of musicoriginating on the Caribbean coast of Colombia; and Reggaeton, a Puerto Rican fusion of Jamaican musicalinfluences of dancehall with those of Latin America, such as Salsa, Latin rap and electrónica.

If it wasn’t for the freezing temperatures outside, this could almost have been a party taking place in Buenos Aires,Bogotá or Lima.

80 – 90% of the population of Latin America are Christian,rendering Christmas more than simply a time of wanton drinking and dancing. Generally, people in the UK push thereligious aspect of Christmas to the periphery.

In Latin America, religious themes predominate. They combine a mixture of traditions, for example gift bearing,acquired from their European and native forebears, with the increasing influence of US culture.

In Colombia, the unofficial start of Christmas is December 7 – the Day of the Candles, where people place candlesand paper lanterns everywhere in honour of the Virgin Mary and her immaculate conception. December 16 is thefirst day of Christmas Novena, a devotion consisting of prayer said on nine consecutive days with the last prayerbeing said on Christmas Eve. Celebrations end on Epiphany Day – January 6.

Unlike in Britain, Latin Americans see Christmas Eve, or Noche






Buena, as the most important day – little occurs on December 25. At midnight, children open their presents given tothem by the baby Jesus rather than by Santa Claus, as in Britain.

Cristian Cetares, 25, a Colombian living in London, says: “Christmas Eve is a huge party. All the family will meethere in London; put money together to buy whisky, beer and a live pig. We love our meat. We will kill the pig, roastit and then all of us will eat and drink. We then put music on and dance with all the family until 7 or 8am.”

Whilst families up and down Britain are getting up early on Christmas Day to open gifts and embrace each other, atypical Latin American family here may just be going to bed.

Because of constant immigration, and influence of popular culturefrom different countries, other traditions have been introduced.

Fireworks are also a common part of their Christmas Eve. Pablo Cirielli, 29, an electrician in London, says: “InArgentina, Christmas Eve is great.

This year, in the UK, we will gather as a family and throw fireworks after 12. We eat a lot of meat; can never missthe lechón (young pig) and also the peceto (cut of the back of a cow). But the asado, or barbecue, most reflectsChristmas in Argentina.”

Also common on the dinner table are arepas (a dish made from ground corn), green papaya, empanadas (a baked orfriend stuffed bread or pastry), three milk sponge cake and sweet corn cake.

But the natilla, resembling a flan or pudding made up of milk, brown sugar, cinnamon and flour, is the mostprevalent Christmas dish, and is eaten along with buñuelos, which are fried dough balls.

These ingredients aren’t characteristic of the British dinner table, sothe Latin American community in the UK can struggle to obtain such traditional foods.

However, seen as the Latin corner of South London, all things South American are available from the 50 or so stallsof Seven Sisters Market, from delicacies to beauty products, all amongst an ensemble of traditional Latin Americanmusic and families.

Latin Americans living in London see the market as a social centre, and many a Christmas hour will be spentperusing the wares.






The Elephant and Castle area of London has the largest LatinAmerican population in the UK, and as such will be a popular meeting point over the festive period, with aprofusion of restaurants and bars.

With the Latin American population of Britain increasing four-fold over the past decade, eateries like LaBodeguita, Las Congas, Costa Azul and Las Iguanas are flourishing.

Las Iguanas, who have restaurants all over the UK, offer a Christmas lunch of spice and style featuring lambchurrasco, chicken and various soups, amongst other things.

Whatever the differences between a typical Briish Christmas andthat of the UK’s Latin community, one constant remains: fun and plenty of alcohol.

Parties can last for three days, says Cristian. “Lots of wine, whisky and beer – we dance all night!”

And Pablo confirmed: “It’s an occasion to meet, to celebrate, to drink and dance. We Argentines love a drink!”

The Latin American community uses its resources to display the best of its cultures and peoples. Merry Christmasto you all!

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A Latin American Xmas