Columbia by Cailey Gastelum

Country Overview

1301260397 — 2023-11-20 15:30:30 UTC

Columbia is the 5th largest country in Latin America, with a population of 51.5 million. The main language they speak is Spanish. It is know for modern cities, significant natural resources, and diverse cultures. Colombia is a country in northwestern South America that borders the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Nicknamed the "gateway to South America" because it sits in the northwestern part of the continent where South America connects with Central and North America.

Holidays celebrated and their origin

1301260397 — 2023-11-20 15:56:52 UTC

Christmas in Colombia is a very big thing. Few countries celebrate the Christmas season with as much enthusiasm as the Colombians do. However Santa isn’t the one to bring the gifts for the children it is the Niño Dios, the work of baby Jesus. Throughout the entire month of December, the whole country is alive with vibrant celebrations and many festivals. They also celebrate “the day of the candles” on December 8, when the conception of the Virgin Mary was declared official Catholic doctrine, this is the day that Colombians decorate their houses, streets, and as many places as possible with candles, lanterns and lights.

This is their way to honor Jesus Christ.

Las Novenas, is a Christmas tradition in Colombia. It dates to the 1700s when a Catholic friar began saying a series of prayers for the 9 days leading up to Christmas Eve from December 16 to December 24.

Traditions & the flavor of the holidays

1301260397 — 2023-12-01 15:41:09 UTC

Colombia celebrates many traditions during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. One tradition is eating natilla (a custard dish resembling a flan) and buñuelos (fried dough balls) and attending a Novena de Aguinaldos, when families come together to eat, sing carols and pray together. They also have a Christmas Eve dinner which Colombians call the Noche Buena.

Christmas lights is a major event in Colombia, each city decorates their houses and takes pride in doing it, however the city of Medellin does it best with huge festivals and decorations everywhere. They also have very strange New Year’s Eve traditions, like, eating one grape per chime- so 12 grapes in all- wearing yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve, and filling your pockets with lentils.

Cultural comparison

1301260397 — 2023-12-04 15:26:22 UTC

Colombia celebrates the holidays similar to me but also very different. Getting together on Christmas Eve and having dinner is a tradition in my family, and it’s also a tradition in Colombia. However I do not eat 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve. Setting off fireworks at 12:00 am is also common in both countries. Colombians also decorate their houses with lights, which in common in America. Despite the weird traditions in Colombia, we can all find something in common.