Posada 2014 at Fort Leaton State Historic Site
Channel: Colin J. McMechan
Date: 31/12/2014

I returned to Fort Leaton just in time for the annual posada celebration. The fort is festooned with luminara candles and Christmas lights as local folks from Presidio (Texas) and Ojinaga (Mexico) arrive to take part in this colourful and religious occasion. 

According to posada tradition, a pregnant Mary and Joseph arrive at the fort on a burro and request permission for overnight lodging. After repeated appeals, the couple is finally granted access and the celebration begins!

At Fort Leaton, festivities include music, food and... many piñatas for los niños (children)! It was explained to me that a traditional piñata looks similar to a star with many points extending from the centre cavity, which is filled with tasty sweets. The points represent sins, and each child is given opportunities to swing at the piñata with a stick to knock away their sins (the points). In repeatedly smashing the piñata to absolve them of sin, the children are eventually rewarded with sweets that burst from the piñata and scatter on the ground. At this point, all the children scramble to collect as many candies as possible. From what I've experienced here, these kids are highly motivated to seek redemption!