By: Alma Adame

 About 7.99 million people live in Honduras  The growing rate is about 1.9 percent annually  90% of the population is mestizo, 7% has indigenous ancestry, 2% is black and only 1% has European descendants

This graph shows the growth of the population in Honduras. This was the population in 2000.

 Spanish is the dominant language.  The indigenous speak their own languages  Garinagu however speak Garífuna  The English language is required as a course in secondary schools.  Very few speak it fluently.

 Roman Catholic is the main religion in Honduras.  There are other Christian groups that are active.  They have freedom of religion as a law.  Protestantism, though, is growing quickly.  Even the smallest towns have Protestant churches.

 Catholic churches have a strong influence in society throughout festivals, family celebrations, and politics.  Each town holds a festival for their patron saint.

This is a symbol for the Roman Catholic. ChristianityProtestants

 In Honduras fatalism exists because of poverty. This makes them see what is good in life.  When they have a conversation they add Si Dios quiere meaning God willing.  They have a lot of machismo they expect the women to be submissive.  Most women in that live in rural places don’t work out of the house.

 La hora latina means time and schedules.  In Honduras being late to appointments and social events is their way of life.

To me this tells about machismo.

 Body language is an important way to communicate in Honduras.  Some body language includes: waving the index finger to say “no”, they point with their lips or chin because pointing with the index I s rude, when they express enthusiasm they place the middle finger and thumb together and shake their hands and it produces a snapping noise.

 Gang members have a different hand signals which should not be imitated by others.  They use them to communicate from far away.

 Men shake hands as an appropriate greeting.  Women usually greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. ( urban women)  Rural women greet each other by placing one hand on the upper arm of the other.  Warm embraces are shared most by close friends and family.  Other greeting include: Adiós when they pass someone on the street, Qué le vaya bien which means May it go will with you, when leaving a party, and Buen provecho (Enjoy your meal) before a meal.

 New Year’s  Day of the Americas is April 14  Labor Day is May 1 st  Independence day is September 15  Birth of Morazán October 3 rd  Columbus Day October 12 th  Armed Forces day is October 21  Christmas, of course, December 25

 The most popular holiday is Independence day.  During Easter’s Holy Week businesses close from Wednesday thru the end of the week.

 At the age of 15 young women are initiated into social life.  Teens start dating in groups.  For example, a young woman goes with one or more friends on her date.  They often get together at dances.  Poor people will start a family without marriage.

 The poor ones usually start a family at the age of 14.  In all social classes, single mothers are common.  Most of the time the siblings only have the mother in common.  The young single mothers move back in with their parents until they are older or find a husband.

 Red beans  Corn  Tortillas  Rice  Bananas  Pineapples

 Western-style  They don’t really wear shorts.  Men often wear guayabera.  T-shirts that have English slogans are very popular throughout Honduras.

 Fútbol is the national sports.  Boys and men play regularly.  More girls have been involved in soccer in the recent years.  Rural boys and men like to play card and dice games.

 They are known for brightly ceramic, carved wooden trucks and homemade instruments.  Other common arts include metalwork, embroidery, and weaving.  Popular music in Honduras is La Punta.  It is played with drums, conch shell and maracas.