Christmas is an all-important annual festivity for Hondurans, as much so as in any other country. Not only because the majority of the population are devout Catholics, but also because, as in Western society, it is an intrinsic part of traditional family life. Few things bring families closer together than a shared meal around the table, especially in this festive period which is all about celebrating with those near and dear.
The following are a little more than a handful of the most popular Christmastime traditions Hondurans observe this time of year.
Honduras has adopted its ‘Ronpopo’ tradition from Western countries but it is now very much the Honduran Christmas beverage of choice. The drink, which can be drunk hot or cold, is typically prepared with milk, egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon, cloves and a liquor of choice acting as preservative and giving a warming, little kick.
Now the drink is popular across the Americas with the alcoholic component changing country by country. The Honduran way is to add ‘guaro’, a local rum. Ronpopo can be found in most Honduran supermarkets or made at home.
The predominantly Catholic celebration of the Posadas is a more local tradition having come over from Spain with the original Spanish settlers and is most popular in Central America. In smaller rural communities (as well as in parts of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula) you’ll see groups of friends and family going around their neighborhood during the nine evenings before Christmas, carrying a homemade replica of the nativity scene. This ritual is to remember the biblical story of Joseph and Mary finding no room at the inn in Bethlehem.
Each evening the group visits three different homes in the area, symbolically requesting a room for the night. The first two will refuse and the third will accept, welcoming the group inside for the celebrations. This is all done through the traditional Posada song that tells the story of Mary and Joseph. This third home will keep the nativity scene for the night until it is taken onto the next place the following day. In return, the hosts will provide Ronpopo or Ponche Infernal, coffee, biscuits and sweets.
Aside from the main Christmas dinner, Nacatamales are an important part of Honduran Christmas gastronomy and are eaten throughout the festive period. The nacatamal is described as the king of Honduran tamales. And tamales, eaten on every corner of the country by pretty much everyone even now, are the oldest form of Honduran food that we know of (corn grinding stones used to make these were found at the Copan Ruins from 1300 BC).
Developed as a portable ration for use in war (much like the sandwich), tamales are a popular tradition eaten throughout Latin America which means recipes are naturally varied. But opinions on origins of this particular type are mixed. Some say that the ‘nacatamal´ is the Nicaraguan tamal, others claim it is purely a giant one. Either way it plays a big part of Honduran Christmas culture.
‘Estrenos de Navidad,’ or new Christmas clothes, is a Latin American tradition basically means wearing new clothes for the first time. Many locals go out and buy new outfits on the 24th (and also on the 31st), translating into booming business at clothing stores at the malls in the larger cities of Honduras. We don’t know where the tradition comes from, but it is an integral part of the family Christmas here in Honduras.
Cohetes, or fireworks, have long been a significant feature of Honduran Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Around midnight on the 24th and 31st of December, in any town in the country, you can see (and hear!) firework displays. Things have changed a little in recent years though, with a law against the more traditional fireworks, meaning families can no longer buy fireworks themselves (unless they go out of town or buy them illegally) or arrange their own displays, but watch those put on by the local officials.
The National Congress prohibited the sale of fireworks in 2001 because of the huge number of resulting burn injuries. Hospitals would see a huge increase in children with gunpowder burns over the Christmas period due to the popular use of fireworks and their wide availability. Now, the festive displays are generally saved for organized events but, even so, remain a favorite among Hondurans at Christmas.
The nacimiento, or nativity scene, is a feature of virtually every Catholic or Protestant Christmas celebration across the world. We’re all familiar with the scene of Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus, surrounded by three kings, shepherds, farm animals, angels and the Star of Bethlehem. Here in Tegucigalpa, Nacimientos are on nearly every corner and in nearly every home. The most famous is undoubtedly that by architect Fernando Martinez. Also known as Menando, Martinez is a well-known public figure, having run for mayor twice in the capital. Despite an unsuccessful bid to become mayor, he is known for sharing his views on the current political and social status within the country through his annual Nacimiento.
The Christmas dinner, however, tops the list as the most widely celebrated holiday tradition in Honduras. Christmas night or ¨Noche Buena¨ is celebrated on the 24th in Honduras and the feast begins at midnight! Since personal firecrackers are prohibited and midnight mass is held in the early evening, a family gathering at home is how most Hondurans celebrate the season. Families get together, usually wearing their new clothes, catch up on each others’ lives, dance, drink ronpopo or ponche infernal and eat, eat, eat!
The traditional Honduran Christmas dinner usually includes roasted pork leg and a sweet dessert called ¨torrejas,¨ which is a biscuit bread that we make, with an egg glaze, fried and boiled with cinnamon and brown sugar.
The feast continues until the early morning. After wishing each other a merry Christmas, the young adults or young at heart, go out and spread the cheer. Christmas day is more laid back and quiet. Most Hondurans take this opportunity to visit relatives and friends, eat leftovers or go to restaurants.
