Las Posadas / 5 minutes of Spanish + Podcast (English version)

 

Hello, how are you? How are you spending these last weeks of the year? With three more editions, we'll be done for the year. Let's go!

Welcome! Thank you for joining us for another week of Spanish in Cabo, for listening, commenting, and being part of this great family.

Today, in these five minutes of Spanish, we're going to talk about...

I know, a verb....

No, it's not a verb, it's a holiday. Did you know that Mexico has a Christmas tradition that is unique in the world? It's called las posadas, and it's only celebrated here. It takes place before Christmas, usually from December 16 to 24.

Listen to the Podcast

What is its origin?

Las posadas has its origin in one of the best-known stories in Christianity: the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.

 

Ah, that's right, according to tradition, they traveled because a census was being taken, a population registry that required people to return to their family's city of origin.

 

And do you know why the Roman Empire took censuses?

 

To find out the number of inhabitants...

 

To collect taxes!

 

Ah! To collect taxes, as the saying goes: “Nothing new under the sun,” but (...) let's continue with Las Posadas.

Yes, Las Posadas began to be celebrated in Latin America during the colonial era as a way to teach the Catholic religion to indigenous peoples. The indigenous people liked it very much because it was a more experiential, closer, and festive way to understand religious stories.

Of course, singing, visiting house to house, and eating is a lot of fun.

Exactly. At first, they were family celebrations, neighborhood celebrations, celebrations in the colonies. They were very popular and open to the entire community.

And today?

Today, they have changed a bit. Now, in many places, posadas are mainly celebrated in workplaces, offices, or work spaces. But the essence remains the same: togetherness, music, food, and lots of joy.

 Speaking of food, you can't miss out on hot chocolate, crispy sweet fritters, and of course, Mexican appetizers.

How delicious!

And you can't miss out on Christmas carols either. People sing, break piñatas, and participate in traditional activities.

Spanish in Cabo 2013

Something else that's very typical is the gift exchange. Sometimes it's done with little pieces of paper, sometimes it's a “Secret Santa” type of exchange, but it's always done with a lot of excitement and humor.

In short, posadas are a perfect blend of history, culture, and celebration. They are a Mexican tradition that keeps the community spirit alive before Christmas officially arrives.

 And the best part is that, even though they have changed over time, they are still a time to get together, share, and enjoy. A tradition that only Mexico has preserved, filling December with music, flavors, and light.

Of course, Spanish in Cabo has its own posada, so if you're around, get in touch with us.

Have you ever participated in a posada?

Come to Mexico in December and practice your Spanish.

Thank you very much.

See you soon

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