Bolivian Christmas By Halie Meador and Mike Hamilton

Holidays December 25 th : Christmas January 1st- 2nd: New Years Day. February 23 rd- 24 th : Carnaval. April 10 th : Good Friday. April 12 th : Easter. May 1 st : Labor Day. June 11 th : Corpus Christi June 21 st : Solsticio de Invierno. July 15 th - 16 th : Bicentenario de La Paz. August 6 th : National Day November 2 nd : All souls day

Traditions for Christmas Bells ring late on Christmas Eve to bring families to church for the Misa Del Gallo or Mass of the Rooster. When the families return home after the festivities begin. Children set their shoes outside their doors for the Three Kings to bring treats and put them in the shoes. Give flowers to friends and family on Christmas. In Bolivia the people like to invite Santa into their homes. Often have parties where they bring instruments to come and play songs, and sing along.

Food Proper Bolivian supper consists of soup, a main course, and possibly a desert. The most important element in Bolivian food is the potato; it is most common see potatoes in some form served with almost every meal. Pasta and rice are also favorites. As for meat, Bolivians eat a lot more pork than people in the United States or Canada. Chicken and beef are also common, and you’ll see the occasional restaurant offering goat, llama, or cuy (guinea pig). Corn is a main ingredient used in Bolivian dishes. Chicha: sour drink made from fermented corn. Usually made at home, not commercially available. Has been enjoyed ever since the age of the Inca. Tojori: a thick hot drink made with corn.

Decorations in Bolivia Bolivian people make many kinds of different decorations for their holidays. Some are even made out of orange peels! Some people put up pesebre in their homes. Pesebre: little or big wooden figurines usually of baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, etc.

Extra Information Santa Clause in Bolivia is called Papa Noel, San Nicholas Viejito Pascuero, and or sometimes they call him Santa just like Americans do. Christmas in Bolivia takes place in the summer. For some in Bolivia Christmas is a harvest holiday where they celebrate the good harvest. Christmas is a Roman Catholic festivity in Bolivia. Christmas in Bolivia is also a time that the people seek blessing for the sick and for the next year to come.

That is The End if you don’t understand.