CHRISTMAS IN DIFFERENTSPANISH SPEAKING

COUNTRIESBOOKLET

INSTRUCTIONS Read the texts about Christmas in different

Spanish speaking countries then answer thequestions.

All texts taken from why Christmas.com

QUESTIONS

Christmas was banned in Cuba from 1969 until 1998.The then Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, didn't want anyreligious celebrations. Christmas was made a publicholiday again in 1998 in honor of the Pope visiting thecountry.During the time it was banned, some people stillcelebrated Christmas but only in a very quiet way. NowChristmas celebrations are much more widespread.Christmas Eve is called 'Nochebuena' (which means'the good night') and it's when families have their mainmeal and celebration together.The traditional main dish is roast pork (some familieslike to roast a whole pig) normally served with friedplantains, rice and vegetables. Dessert is often ricepudding or sweet potato pudding.More people are now going to a midnight mass churchservice after eating their Nochebuena meal.In the town of Remedios there is a very big fiesta andparade on Christmas Eve called 'Las Parrandas'. Onestory says that in the 1820s the priest in the townthought that people might go to sleep after their mealand not go to midnight mass; so he got some children tomake a lot of noise to keep people awake!Now Las Parrandas in Remedios is a very loud paradeand party with different neighbourhoods in the towntrying to out do each other with their costumes andmusic! The festivities start at 10pm when the churchbells ring. At midnight there are lots of fireworks andmore partying. Epiphany is also celebrated in Cuba. Before Christmaswas banned it was very popular and was when peopleexchanged presents. Children hope that the ThreeKings will bring them presents at Epiphany.This is still widely celebrated by Cuban communities inplaces like Miami.

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CUBA

When was Christmas bannedin Cuba?

1.

2. Why was Christmas madea public holiday again?

3. True or false? Some peoplestill celebrated Christmas inCuba despite it being banned.

4. What is ‘Nochebuena’?

5. What is the main Christmasdish in Cuba?

6. What is the Christmas Evefiesta called that takes placein Remedios?

7. When does the fiestabegin?

8. What is ‘Epiphany’?

All texts taken from why Christmas.com

QUESTIONS

Guatemala is a very diverse country with more than 20ethnic groups. Each of them has their own specialtraditions for celebrating Christmas.On December 7th at 6pm an unusual tradition called'La Quema del Diablo' (The Burning of the Devil) takesplace, where an effigy (model) of the devil/Satan isburnt. The burning of the devil symbolises getting 'badthings' out of the way ready for the new year! Thetradition started back when Guatemala was a Spanishcolony and people would put lanterns on the front oftheir houses. The custom changed overtime to burningthe devil!Most Guatemalans, like other Latin-Americancounties, plan and build, with the entire family, aNativity Scene called a "Nacimiento" or "Belén".Although it is originally a Spanish tradition, manyindigenous (Guatemalan) elements are now used inthe design and construction of the Nativity scenes.The "Nacimiento" is normally put under the ChristmasTree. One unique characteristic of GuatemalanNativity scenes is the use of sawdust dyed in manybright colors.On Christmas Eve families celebrate together and eatthe main Christmas meal. It is made of severaltraditional dishes, but it always includes someGuatemalan tamales. In some regions they are madeof corn and other of rice or potatoes. They can besweet or not, and have several different ingredientsinside like olives, prunes, peppers, chicken or pork. Everyone waits until midnight to light hundreds offireworks or firecrackers to celebrate the birth ofJesus. A family prayer is said around the tree and it isthe custom to open the presents shortly after midnight.

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GUATEMALA

What tradition takes placeon the 7th of December?

1.

2. What is the Spanish wordfor ‘Nativity Scene’?

3. Where do people placetheir nativity scenes inGuatemala?

5. What is always included inthe main Christmas meal?

6. What different ingredientscan be used in the tamales?

7. What happens at midnighton Christmas Eve?

8. When do they open theirpresents?

4. When do people inGuatemala eat theirChristmas dinner?

All texts taken from why Christmas.com

QUESTIONS

From December 16th until Christmas Eve, manyColombians take part in 'novenas'. These are specialtimes when family, friends and neighbors come togetherto pray in the days leading up to Christmas. They areknown as the 'Novena de Aguinaldos' (ChristmasNovena) and often a different house hosts the meetingevery night. As well as the prayers, people sing carolsand eat lots of yummy foods!People like to decorate their homes with ChristmasTrees and other decorations. It's very common for thereto be candles (normally red and white) and other lightsdisplayed in windows or on balconies. Another veryimportant Christmas decoration in Colombia is a nativityscene or 'el pesebre'. In early December, children writea 'Carta al Niño Dios' (letter to the baby Jesus) askingfor what presents they would like. The letter is placed inthe pesebre. They hope that Jesus will bring thempresents on Christmas Eve.The main Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Evenight and it's called 'Cena de Navidad'. The dishes ofteninclude 'lechona' (pork stuffed with rice and peas), ham,turkey or a chicken soup called 'Ajiaco Bogotano'. Otherpopular foods around Christmas are 'Buñuelos' (cheesyfritters), arepas (a thick dish made from corn) and'hojuelas' (a fried pastry with sugar and jam). A verypopular Christmas dessert is 'Natilla' which is a setcustard.After the Christmas Meal, many people will go to aMidnight mass Church Service. Some people stay up allnight, so Christmas Day is a day for relaxing and eatingup leftovers!On the 28th of December people celebrate InnocentsDay, which is like April Fools Day, with lots of jokes andfun. TV stations often show bloopers and funnymistakes people have made in the previous year.

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COLOMBIA

What is ‘novenas’ and whendoes it take place?

1.

2. What are the commonChristmas decorations thatyou could find in Colombianhomes?

3. What is ‘el pesebre’ andwhat is ‘la carta al niño dios’?

5. What types of food areincluded in the main meal?

6. What do they do onChristmas Day (25th ofDecember) ?

7. What is ‘innocents day’?

4. When do people inColombia eat their Christmasdinner?

All texts taken from why Christmas.com

What 3 pieces of information have surprised you about Christmas in Spanish speakingcountries?

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What are the differences? What are the similarities?Why do you think they are different/similar?Is one tradition better than the other? Or are they different and unique in their ownway? What Custom/tradition/food would you like to try from Cuba/Guatemala/Colombia?

Now think about how Christmas is celebrated with your family and in the UK.

Write a paragraph about your traditions and celebrations and then compare it to Cuba,Guatemala or Colombia.

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