This is how the popular religious Nicaraguan festivities were born, and in December ‘La Purísima’ is celebrated, one of the most widespread celebrations. Historia de La Purisima en Nicaragua. If it sounds like a pretty religious occasion, well, it technically is. The items carried by the young women are placed at the front of the church to be blessed by the priest. Candles and palm fronds might also be used in these altars. The altar varies each year. Approximately 80% resided in Southeast Louisiana and nearly 2300 in Jefferson Parish. "Mary is the patron saint of Nicaragua. You remember the fireworks from when you were a child. La fiesta de la “Purísima” es una fiesta muy nicaragüense. Nicaragua inicia mes festivo con la tradición de la Purísima. In many ways, the Nicaraguan immigrants blend well into this area as they too also come from the merging of European settlers, indigenous people, and enslaved Africans. Photo: Denese Neu. Every year it was the same: on December 7th (and sometimes the days before or after it), we would gather at my grandmother’s house to sit in front of an altar, , to sing songs and get small gifts like candy and, . El Canal católico de la Diócesis de León, Nicaragua. The long-term impact of Hurricane Katrina is still unknown. They do not feel the need for the event to worship Mary. Louisiana Division of the Arts | Office of Cultural Development | Dept. It is the most popular feast of the year for the majority of Nicaraguans. People bring pins to pop them when given the sign. About 15 people organize and fund the celebration. She was upset that she had forgotten to bring her this year and said, "I wanted to place her on the altar so she could enjoy her party." There’s. It’s a little like Christmas, a little like the 4th of July, a little like Halloween, and 100% Nicaraguan pride. The priest at the time was supportive of the celebration but "we had to compete to reserve the church. Photo: Denese Neu. As mentioned earlier, La Purisima is unique to the Nicaraguan culture, but it is easy to understand how its celebration is welcome in Southeast Louisiana. The city is Creole: it is a place where white is not necessarily European and black is not necessarily African. Fruit is also a traditional La Purisima gift. Adopting the lifestyle and culture of New Orleans, they also hang onto the traditions of their home country. Several years ago, the organizers held an altar competition outside of the churches. It is "so people can identify and say 'that is our country, our culture'." Juan Gutierrez talked about how carefully they try to make the La Purisima event a tradition to be maintained. You see in the faces the happiness from their memories." In Louisiana, La Griteria has not lost its importance but it cannot be the large outdoor public celebration it is in Nicaragua. According to LouisianaFolkLife.org, it all began in the 18th century when monks from a convent in Leon decided to use “candy and fruit to attract children and believers to come and sing to the image of the Virgin.” Seeing how well this tactic drew a crowd, they asked the townspeople to erect altars to Maria in their own homes. As the music wore down, the last gift was distributed: a La Purisima car plate. Before Hurricane Katrina, the metro area's population was estimated to be 1.2 million. Flowers adorned the table and arrangements sent as gifts were placed on the floor along the front. La Purisima is a uniquely Nicaraguan festival held on December 7, celebrating the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. The plate had the shouting and the image of Mary. !” to which folks respond, “La Concepcion de Maria!” (“Who causes so much joy? Placing the Blessed Virgin upon the altar. Among the few churches where La Purisima is celebrated in Southeast Louisiana, the artistry of the altars has become an informal competition. The shout "Quién causa tanta alegría?" See more ideas about nicaragua, christmas, la purisima. The altar is the focal point of the celebration. Both, Purísima and Gritería, are organized by hosts or home owners. When Berta Lanzaz listened to the songs recorded at La Purisima, it was apparent how deeply her native culture remains rooted within her. @2020 - hiplatina.com All Right Reserved. Oh yes, that’s right. People came to look but did not perform the songs, as they should. The influx of Latinos to Southeast Louisiana may drive a renewed interest in heritage among those who have entirely assimilated and for the second and third generations. Reverend Alberto shared that the gifts are symbolic of Mary's gifts of love and message that people must help each other. Together, they dance around the streets while others might follow with instruments to play them songs, and they can usually be found randomly in the streets throughout December. Throughout the region, families found themselves scattered while neighborhood groups formed cohesive tribes for rebuilding. In Southeast Louisiana, the tradition of competition within LaPurisma was seen through the area churches that host the event. 22-may-2018 - Explora el tablero de Ramiro Guido Ramos "La Purísima en Nicaragua" en Pinterest. En Managua, el Cardenal Leopoldo Brenes realizó el grito ¿Quién causa tanta alegría? Songs like, “Por Eso El Cristianismo” and “Escucha Oh Tierna Madre” are among the Nicaraguan folk songs dedicated to La Virgen, and are often heard at las Purisimas, sung mainly by the pious older women in attendance. Southeast Louisiana is known for its colorful and boisterous celebrations. He is regretful that the fireworks are not allowed and would disturb the neighborhood. The story is pieced together from a variety of explanations but tells us that the veneration of Mary began in 1562. Mission La Purísima Concepción, or La Purísima Mission (originally La Misión de la Purísima Concepción de la Santísima Virgen María, or The Mission of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary) is a Spanish mission in Lompoc, California.It was established on December 8, 1787 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, hence the mission's name) by the Franciscan order. Purisima is a novena, or nine days of prayer and devotion. According to the most recent census in 2000, 3685 Nicaraguan immigrants live in Louisiana. The organizers explain that while they are invited to visit private altars, they began organizing a public event 16 years ago. José Arrechevalla expands by saying, "We try because not every day we can do that." This statement was made while we sat and spoke in the parlor area of their art gallery. 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