The Wyandotte herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1879-1943, 1943-01-08
IT'S STILL CHRISTMAS q:
SOUTH OF THE RIO CIR ANDE

This is the eighth of ~ sc les of
articles on Latin America released
through the public library.J -
Christmas is over in the - hited
States, but south Of the Rio IRA nde
the festivities are just getting under
way. In the Spanish and Portuguese
speaking republics, the holidays last
for three weeks. They begin ID mid
December and continue 10 January O.
which itself Is u special holiday It N.
called Kings Day. celebratin the
gift-giving journey made by the fhree
Wise Men-G Three Kings OF their
visit 20 the infant Jesus.
Where Kings Day Is obserl d, II,
rather than Christmas Day, Is q time
for exchanging gifts. The you Sters
have = speeist Ear of eolisctia Ftheir
Ml stecking fer Banta fCaaust, IN.
They set out theGS shoes Or smsd
boxSs, loaded with grass for thf Ehoak
Wise Mems cameb. The lega d. ~
course, is that the camels eaSfl -
Grass and the Wise Men REPLACE 1t
with gifts. 81,
Fortunately for the children, there
is no limitation on the number or
shoes or boxes they can set OUT. Ere
Quently "a child will place one in front
OF his own door, another at his grand
mothers. and even third at an ANGLES
or cousins. ~
The three-week Christmas Zebra
tons begin with the pOsadas u re-
enactment of the search made y JOS
eph and Mary for shelter In. which
the infant Jesus might be Dor "PO-
sada" is an old Spanish word inn
or lodging house. and its use Or the
ceremonies apparently canes II N the
fact that Joseph and Mary wene turn
ed away from one inn after another.
In Mexico. the pOsadas are partic-
ularly important. They are festive ev-
ents, taking place nightly until Christ
mas eve Families get together In each
home. The house is gaiiy decorated
with moss, evergreen and cOiOred pa
per lanterns. An altar Is placed In the
center of the house, with shepherds.
a stable on the summit OF q small NIL,
and inside, the figures Of Mary and
Joseph before an empty cradle
Members of the family. begin the
nightly ceremonies with retita tiop OF
tue hOSdEy 1hcy thNh PAoNN~N
lighted candles from room to room,
depicting the search for shelter They
sing simple folk songs in tribute to
the Child Christ and the Virgin Mary.
Lending the profession. which nnaAy
ends at the altar. are two Children.
carrying images Of the Virgin ana
Saint Joseph Later there are fire
works. and candies and fruits are CIV
en- TO all.
The climax Of the posadas, least
for the Youngsters. comes on Christ
mas eve On that night. the children
have their pinata. The pinas4 Is
large earthen jar. filled with sweets.
fruits. and tiny gifts. 1t 'ssspehdea
from the ceiling and. one by dae. the
children. bfindfOlded. come iFto the
room and attempt to break 1t When
one finally succeeds. all OF them rush
TO get their share of the contents as
they spill onto the floor. y
Only few of the children in the
southern American republics 1--we ey-
er heard OF Santa Claus. II their
tropical climates. he would I've
strange figure. Even In pia hke
Mexico City. where Decemb : Is
cold month. white On stmas
would he out of the question Around
! tho -oouator It's warm in the ,uletide
season. and in the southern tbtoues,
the hoiiday comes in the peak heat Of
midsummer. -.