Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-04-02
The POSadaa.

Under the sky's mysterious tent near
ly two thousand years ago hung a bril-
liant star, like lamp from a dome of
amethyst. 1t was the star leading by
its light the savans of fay-olf climes to
the cradle of Bethlehem and the kingly
Infant Christ. All the stories of the
divine incarnation. of which the above
was brilliant episode, are vividly re-
called in Mexico at the proper season
of the year-the posadas.
Posadas constitute one of the strang-
est customs of this ultra-religious
country. They commence on the 10th
of Dec. and continue for nine nights,
to the 25th, inclusive.
The posadas are religious balls, to
use contradictory phrase. They
commemorate the journey of the Vir-
gin Mary and her husband Saint Jo-
seph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and
the vain efforts made by the mother of
God to find an inn to shelter her before
the birth of the Christ. Posada signi-
ties an inn.
The posada commences with a pro-
cession in the rooms in which the car
nivalistic festivals are to occur. Fig
ures of Mary, st, Joseph, and even the
donkey, are carried round, followed by
band of music, and by young men
and women holding lighted tapers and
singing litanies. The procession is
supposed to represent friends Of the
holy family assisting them to seek the
shelter so much needed. The process
sion reaches a determined room, and
knocks at the door, and is answered by
singing voices inside. Sacred history
relates that entrance was forbidden to
the family, but here the festival chang
es from its original, and the door is
opened, the procession enters the room,
and after the holy figures have been
put away in corner the fun of the
evening commences.
The Americans celebrate Christmas
with tree, the Mexicans with pinata.
Every night till the oath Dec, inclusive,
the pinata is broken. 1t is large
earthen vessel, gaily decorated, and
filled with toothsome dulces or candies,
hung from the ceiling in the center of
the room. The children are blindfold-
ed and armed with sticks to break the
jug. Many are the efforts made by the
laughing, rollicking. joyous young VOL
unteers to make themselves masters of
the situation, which they finally ac-
complish, when some member of the
blindfolded brigade with a lucky blow
skaters the pinata. The crash of
splintered, scattered crockery, the rat
tie of bon-bons and candies on the floor
is the signal of the wrcnching off of
the mask, and the children throw
themselves upon the sweets. knowing
that findings is havings." Presents
are then passed around, among them
china baskets, figures, and silk and
satin boxes with candies. Dancing
then commences and lasts till morning
On the night of the 24th Dec, room
is always arranged to represent the
Bethlehem stable, and the guests re-
pair there at the supposed hour of
Christ's birth. Some godmothers will
be selected, and dancing is to be pur-
sued most enthusiastically. On the
Noche Buena, or Good Nj ght, grand
supper is given, at which nothing is
served but fish and salads and ''revol-
tillo," dish of many ingredients.
Wine and pulque wash down these
thirst-provoking dishes, and thus is
Christmas dawn to be ushered in with
the whirling waltz and the wooing
wine.-CHy Of Merico 7wo Republics.