PUERTO RICO
navidad
NAVIDAD IN PUERTO RICO
Christmas celebrations in Puerto Rico begin very early in December, the first celebration is on Dec 25th, and the rest continue thru the middle of January. The big Christmas celebrations are, Dec 24th, Nochebuena, Dec 25th, Navidad, Dec 31st, Despedida de ano, and the most important one is, Dia de Reyes on January 6th.
NAVIDA TRADITIONS
During all of Navidad most people wear traditional straw hats during this holiday. Costumes typically worn on navidad, are homemade costumes, using bright colorful fabrics. Most families celebrate with Santa. Homes are decorated much like in the mainland, but include palm trees and their branches.
ROASTING THE PIG
Cooking the pig is a big event. The pig is purchased and prepared a couple of days ahead. On the big day the pig is mounted in a stick, and put to cook as early as 4 in the morning. At least 2 people must keep watch slowly turning the stick, all through out the day. Friends and relatives begin to arrive later in the morning, and stay all day while the pig roasts. Older women are in the kitchen preparing side dishes. Small children will be playing and getting in trouble.
FOOD ON NAVIDAD
Traditional navidad foods are pasteles, arroz con dulce, coquito, and many more. All of these foods are brought by guests on navidad or made in the kitchen.
PUERTO RICAN MUSIC
Puerto Ricans are known for there unforgettable " parandas or trullas navidenas ". A parranda is when a small group of friends gather together to "alstar" or surprise another friend. It's the Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling. Most parrandas play some sort of instrument, either guitarras, tamboriles, guiro maracas, or palitos. and they all sing. A parranda tends to be more secular than religious, however many of the traditional Puerto Rican Christmas songs tend to keep the holiday spirit.
ABOUT PUERTO RICO
There are three popular attractions of Puerto Rico. Castillo de san Felipe del Morro, for over 400 years it has protected San Juan and the route from the new world to the old. El Yunque, the home of a lush rainforest land, this part of Puerto Rico hasn't changed in centuries. Culebrita, it is a long beach stretched of snd hugging the coast line. The population of Puerto Rico is 3.62 million people. The governor of Puerto Rico is Anibal Acevedo-vila.