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FAMILY AND TRADITION
CULTURE
RITUALS AND VALUES OF LATIN AMERICA BY: DIVYA NATARAJAN
“A heritage of the past is the seed that brings
Posadas, Novena, and a Quinceañera.
forth the harvest of the future,” -by Wendell Phillips.
These traditions symbolize the importance of family, religion, and maturity. To start off with,
Heritage is defined by something that is
Posadas, which is the nine nights before
handed down from the past, and it is imperative
Christmas. To honor this holiday, children and
to keep these traditions alive. These traditions
adults dress up as Mary and Joseph in small
must continue to be passed on from generation
processions The Posadas are a reenactment of
to generation because it enables families to
Joseph and Mary’s “The Pilgrims” search for
rejoice together, and preserve their ancestry.
lodging on their way to Bethlehem.The
An example of this is, Latin American values
families will end their night with the rupturing
and their celebrations. From its music, food,
of a piñata shaped as a Christmas star. Novena
and history, Hispanic culture has had a huge
is a series of prayers that are said for nine
influence on America. These customs can
straight days before Christmas in anticipation
range from a rite of passage into adulthood, or
and it symbolized her entry into womanhood.
a nine-day celebration of a religious affiliation.
of the birth of Jesus. The prayers are petitions,
Latin American culture revolves around their
but also offerings of thanks. Families typically
morals, and their family values. To begin with
gather around together and pray. To go along
let’s discuss some Latin American traditions
with the prayers, each day families sing
that are celebrated. Since Latin America is full
Villancicos, which are the latin
of diversity, and culture, its traditions reflect
Christmas carols, with a lot more. poetry
this. Some Latin American traditions include
behind them.
version of
