Holidays
Several holidays are celebrated in El Salvador, as with all other countries. Some holidays are celebrated here in the United States and some are not. Each holiday is celebrated differently, whether it is with a dinner or a festive party at someone's house. The holidays are celebrated with much enthusiasm. Parades and processions occur all over the country during certain holidays. These days of festivities and celebration are joyous for everyone. They are days to be happy and to be with your family.
The first holiday celebrated during the year is New Year's Eve/day. People celebrate hard on these days. Fiestas are hosted in people's homes. The party is attended by the extended family and friends. A ton of mouth-watering food is served. Some foods eaten are the delicious pupusas, tamales, and chicken. Eating is a big part of the festivities. People eat until they can't anymore food. In addition, dancing is an integral part of the celebration. As someone who's been to a party such as this, I can say that dancing is required. Even if its just for a little bit, everyone must dance. Being a wallflower isn't an option most of the time. Music is always playing in the house. Because of their lively and danceable sound, bachata and cumbia are popular at these fiestas. Fireworks are also part of the festivities, as people celebrate the end of one year and the start of another.
A few months later comes Holy Week. It is celebrated in either March or April. Holy Week is celebrated almost everywhere in the country. There are those who aren't Roman Catholics, like the majority. During this week. daily religious services are carried out in churches. Processions are held everywhere. Popular foods during this time are seafood soup, hot corn-flour tortillas, and French toast served with honey, called torejas. On Easter Saturday, people just relax and try to enjoy themselves, by going to a river and/or having a picnic. Easter Sunday is known as Pascua. The image of Jesus is carried around in a procession. A special mass is given this day.
In August, the Patron Saints' Festivals are celebrated. They are sometimes called the August Feasts. Every city in the country has a patron saint, who is celebrated at least once a year. The "Bajada" or the descent of the patron saint is a central part of the celebration. It is a main attraction. The descent is seen in parades in downtown of San Salvador. These festivals may include the parades/processions, special mass, soccer tournaments, and an abundant amount of eating, drinking, and dancing. The indigenous towns and villages have very colorful ways of celebrating. They have extravagant costumes with distinct plumage and their own style specific to that group. Indigenous music and dances are a part of their parades. The biggest celebration is on August 6, for El Salvador del Mundo, or The Holy Savior of the World, who is the patron saint for all of El Salvador.
The country's independence day is On September 15. Each city organizes a parade to celebrate. Students participate in the parades. They represent their schools, with their bands and groups of cheerleaders. In Plaza Libertad, special ceremonies are held. The president and his cabinet deliver a message to the rest of the country and join in with the festivities. Similar to here, they also have fireworks to celebrate with. This day is just great and enjoyable for everyone.
Lastly, Christmas is also a holiday celebrated over there. It is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Its celebrated over a period of two days, Christmas Eve and the actual day. Christmas Eve is called "Las Noche Buena", or the good night. Some people choose to go to Midnight Mass, others don't. The party at the house is normally filled with a lot of the extended family. It can go late into the early hours in the morning. Drinking, dancing, and opening presents, is how people enjoy themselves this day. Normally, children stay up until 12 a.m. to open their presents. They wait until midnight because that's when its technically Christmas Day and, by then, Jesus has been born. Chicken, turkey, tamales , and potato salad are some examples of typical food served on Christmas. Dancing is also part of the festivities. Its the same as New Year's. Usually, people have a tree decorated in their house. Its also common to have a nativity scene somewhere. These nativity scenes can be simple and small or pretty big and detailed.
The first holiday celebrated during the year is New Year's Eve/day. People celebrate hard on these days. Fiestas are hosted in people's homes. The party is attended by the extended family and friends. A ton of mouth-watering food is served. Some foods eaten are the delicious pupusas, tamales, and chicken. Eating is a big part of the festivities. People eat until they can't anymore food. In addition, dancing is an integral part of the celebration. As someone who's been to a party such as this, I can say that dancing is required. Even if its just for a little bit, everyone must dance. Being a wallflower isn't an option most of the time. Music is always playing in the house. Because of their lively and danceable sound, bachata and cumbia are popular at these fiestas. Fireworks are also part of the festivities, as people celebrate the end of one year and the start of another.
A few months later comes Holy Week. It is celebrated in either March or April. Holy Week is celebrated almost everywhere in the country. There are those who aren't Roman Catholics, like the majority. During this week. daily religious services are carried out in churches. Processions are held everywhere. Popular foods during this time are seafood soup, hot corn-flour tortillas, and French toast served with honey, called torejas. On Easter Saturday, people just relax and try to enjoy themselves, by going to a river and/or having a picnic. Easter Sunday is known as Pascua. The image of Jesus is carried around in a procession. A special mass is given this day.
In August, the Patron Saints' Festivals are celebrated. They are sometimes called the August Feasts. Every city in the country has a patron saint, who is celebrated at least once a year. The "Bajada" or the descent of the patron saint is a central part of the celebration. It is a main attraction. The descent is seen in parades in downtown of San Salvador. These festivals may include the parades/processions, special mass, soccer tournaments, and an abundant amount of eating, drinking, and dancing. The indigenous towns and villages have very colorful ways of celebrating. They have extravagant costumes with distinct plumage and their own style specific to that group. Indigenous music and dances are a part of their parades. The biggest celebration is on August 6, for El Salvador del Mundo, or The Holy Savior of the World, who is the patron saint for all of El Salvador.
The country's independence day is On September 15. Each city organizes a parade to celebrate. Students participate in the parades. They represent their schools, with their bands and groups of cheerleaders. In Plaza Libertad, special ceremonies are held. The president and his cabinet deliver a message to the rest of the country and join in with the festivities. Similar to here, they also have fireworks to celebrate with. This day is just great and enjoyable for everyone.
Lastly, Christmas is also a holiday celebrated over there. It is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Its celebrated over a period of two days, Christmas Eve and the actual day. Christmas Eve is called "Las Noche Buena", or the good night. Some people choose to go to Midnight Mass, others don't. The party at the house is normally filled with a lot of the extended family. It can go late into the early hours in the morning. Drinking, dancing, and opening presents, is how people enjoy themselves this day. Normally, children stay up until 12 a.m. to open their presents. They wait until midnight because that's when its technically Christmas Day and, by then, Jesus has been born. Chicken, turkey, tamales , and potato salad are some examples of typical food served on Christmas. Dancing is also part of the festivities. Its the same as New Year's. Usually, people have a tree decorated in their house. Its also common to have a nativity scene somewhere. These nativity scenes can be simple and small or pretty big and detailed.