|
|
| Home > Travel > |
SOC.CULTURE.PUERTO-RICO: Introduction and FAQ |
Section 1 of 3 - Prev - Next
All sections - 1 - 2 - 3
Archive-name: puerto-rico-FAQ
Posting-Frequency: monthly
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
S O C . C U L T U R E . P U E R T O - R I C O
Introduction and
Frequently Asked Questions
June 6, 1996
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Welcome to soc.culture.puerto-rico! This article contains information
about this group, about Puerto Rico and about visiting Puerto Rico. I
hope that the information provided is useful to you and that you decide
to participate in the group and contribute with your ideas.
! In this issue I have corrected the information about "Where to stay in
! Puerto Rico?" that was missing from previous postings. Also, the
! section on "Where can I get information about Puerto Rico in the Web?"
! is constantly updated.
New area code for Puerto Rico: Effective March 1, 1996, the area code
for Puerto Rico is 787. The old area code (809) can still be used
until the end of the year.
This posting is in Usenet digest format. If your news reader supports
the digest format, press Ctrl-G (^G) to go to the next question.
Otherwise, search for the next line with "Subject:" at the beginning.
Changes to this file are now marked with an exclamation mark (!) at
the beginning of the line.
You can read a hypertext version of this document in the World Wide Web
at< http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/puerto-rico-FAQ/
faq.html > or retrieve the most recently posted version from
< ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/puerto-rico-FAQ >.
The information is correct to the best of my knowledge. If you find an
error, let me know the correction. Contributions from other people are
also included and I have tried to give proper credit to the authors. If
you have any comments and wish them to be included, send me a message.
Also, if you want to change any of the comments you have provided,
let me know and I will make the changes accordingly.
You can copy and redistribute this file in whole or in parts only for
personal and/or non-commercial purposes as long as you give proper
credit to the sources including information on contributors at the end
of each section and the following information:
Document: SOC.CULTURE.PUERTO-RICO: Introduction and FAQ
Distribution Date: June 6, 1996
Maintainer: Zeydy Ortiz Laureano
Archive: < ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/puerto-rico-FAQ >
If you have any ideas, suggestions or comments on how to improve this
file (or just want to say hello), please, send me a message. Also, if
you find any information on the Internet that may be included here,
let me know.
Zeydy Ortiz Laureano
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: TABLE OF CONTENTS:
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
SOC.CULTURE.PUERTO-RICO
-> Charter
- Topics of discussion
- Posting Policy
- Language
- BORIKEN
-> What is BORIKEN?
-> Reminders
-> Summary of things to remember
-> I do not understand Spanish. Why don't you write in English?!?
-> I am trying to practice Spanish. Will I get flamed if I write
to this newsgroup in my poor Spanish?
-> Can't you write proper Spanish?!?!
-> Why don't you use diacritical marks (accent marks,
tildes, dieresis) in soc.culture.puerto-rico?
-> How do I create a kill file?
PUERTO RICO
-> Patron Saint Festivals
-> Christmas Celebrations
-> National Symbols
-> Where can I get information about Puerto Rico in the Web?
-> Where can I get image files of Puerto Rico?
-> Who is providing Internet services in Puerto Rico?
TRAVEL INFORMATION
-> Do I need a passport?
-> What places should we visit in Puerto Rico?
- San Juan Metropolitan Area
+ Old San Juan
+ Metropolitan San Juan
- Northeast and Offshore Islands
- South Coast
- West Coast
- Northwest
- Mountains
-> Where to stay in Puerto Rico?
- San Juan Metropolitan Area
- Northeast and Offshore Islands
- South Coast
- West Coast
- Northwest
- Mountains
-> What are Paradores Puertorrique~nos?
-> Where can I get more tourist information?
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
-> Other festivities
-> What to do with an annoying person?
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: SOC.CULTURE.PUERTO-RICO
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Soc.culture.puerto-rico was proposed for creation in the BORIKEN
mailing list some time in January of 1994 by Mauricio A. Hernandez
. After the initial period of discussion
and the voting (YES: 355, NO:23) the group was created in April 6, 1994.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: Charter
Name: soc.culture.puerto-rico
Status: unmoderated
Description: Puerto Rico's culture, politics, and society
- Topics of discussion:
Soc.culture.puerto-rico will be a newsgroup dedicated solely to the
discussion of issues related to the life, culture, and politics
affecting the nearly 5 million Puerto Ricans living in the island, in
the mainland USA, and around the world.
- Posting Policy:
Soc.culture.puerto-rico will be unmoderated. Contributors must use
their own judgement to decide the relevance of their articles to the
topics discussed in soc.culture.puerto-rico. Discussions that are only
relevant to a very few individuals should be moved to e-mail.
- Language:
Spanish is Puerto Rico's principal language. Thus we expect Spanish
to be the dominant language in the newsgroup. Nevertheless, a large
part of Puerto Ricans who have access to USENET know and use English as
a second language. Therefore, articles written in English will be as
welcomed as those written in Spanish.
- BORIKEN:
Soc.culture.puerto-rico will not be initially gatewayed to the list
server BORIKEN (BORIKEN@ENLACE.BITNET). However, the possibility of a
link will remain open and will be decided later by the members of the
BORIKEN list server.
Contributions: Mauricio A. Hernandez
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: What is BORIKEN?
BORIKEN is a mailing list administered by the University of Puerto Rico
to exchange information about the society and culture of Puerto Rico.
If you want to participate in the discussion, send a message to
LISTSERV@ENLACE.BITNET with the message: SUB BORIKEN Name Last Name.
You can leave blank the Subject line. Messages to the group should be
sent to BORIKEN@ENLACE.BITNET.
If you are having problems trying to subscribe to BORIKEN, try sending
your subscription message to LISTSERV%ENLACE.BITNET@uga.cc.uga.edu and
messages to the group to BORIKEN%ENLACE.BITNET@uga.cc.uga.edu.
Some readers of soc.culture.puerto-rico are or were in the BORIKEN
mailing list.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: Reminders
Due to differences in the experiences in the life of every person,
disagreement and misunderstanding are very likely to occur. We can
learn from each other and broaden our knowledge if the arguments are
kept in focus and not as personal attacks.
Before posting to soc.culture.puerto-rico, please read the newsgroup
news.announce.newusers to understand the Usenet community. The
following documents describe what is expected to be the proper behavior
in newsgroups.
* Rules for Posting to Usenet
by Mark Horton
< ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/posting-rules/part1 >
* A Primer on How to Work with the Usenet Community
by Chuq Von Rospach
< ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/primer/part1 >
* Hints on Writing Style for Usenet
by A. Jeff Offutt VI
< ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/writing-style/part1 >
If you like sarcasm, also read:
* Emily Postnews Answers Your Question on Netiquette
by Brad Templeton
< ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/emily-postnews/part1 >
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: Summary of Things to Remember
Never forget that the person on the other side is human.
Don't blame system admins for their users' behavior.
Never assume that a person is speaking for their organization.
Be careful what you say about others.
Be brief.
Your postings reflect upon you; be proud of them.
Use descriptive titles.
Think about your audience.
Be careful with humor and sarcasm.
Only post a message once.
Please rotate material with questionable content.
Summarize what you are following up.
Use mail, don't post a follow-up.
Read all follow-ups and don't repeat what has already been said.
Double-check follow-up newsgroups and distributions.
Be careful about copyrights and licenses.
Cite appropriate references.
When summarizing, summarize.
Mark or rotate answers or spoilers.
Spelling flames considered harmful.
Don't overdo signatures.
Limit line length and avoid control characters.
Please do not use Usenet as a resource for homework assignments.
From: "A Primer on How to Work with the Usenet Community"
by Chuq Von Rospach
< ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/primer/part1 >
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: I do not understand Spanish. Why don't you write in English?!?
For most of us, Spanish is our native language. We are more comfortable
communicating with each other in the language that is most natural for
us. I am sorry that you may not understand our postings. However, if
you have a question feel free to post in English. It is very likely
that you will get a kind response in English.
Read the section on "Language" in the charter for more details
(see "Charter").
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: I am trying to practice Spanish. Will I get flamed if I write
to this newsgroup in my poor Spanish?
I have noticed that some people that claim to speak Spanish as their
first language do not write Spanish correctly in this newsgroup for
different reasons (see also "Can't you write Spanish correctly?!?!").
So, I don't think you will get flamed for your writing. Most people
appreciate your efforts in learning our language and will try to get
the idea of what you are trying to say. However, if you feel that
your message may not be understood, include the English version in
your post.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: Can't you write Spanish correctly?!?!
Yes we can, thank-you-very-much. However, spelling flames are not
appreciated in Usenet groups and soc.culture.puerto-rico is not an
exception. Please consider the following facts:
- Not all the participants in this group have the time to correct
every single word we type.
- Spanish automatic spelling checkers are not widely available.
- There exists a great number of Puerto Ricans who lived most of
their lives in the mainland USA and whose first language is
English.
- For some, this newsgroup is one of the few places where they can
practice writing in Spanish. Trying to embarrass people because
of their spelling tend to inhibit them, as well as others
reading in the sidelines, from participating in the group.
Please, do not embarrass yourself by trying to embarras others with
spelling flames. But if you must become a speaker for the "Real
Academia de la Lengua Espa~nola", please do so by e-mail.
Contributions: Mauricio A. Hernandez
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: Why don't you use diacritical marks (accent marks, tildes, dieresis)
in soc.culture.puerto-rico?
Not all terminal support the Extended Character Set needed to display
the special characters (e.g., vowels with accent marks). Some terminals
will simply not display the character or replace it with another making
your message very difficult to understand. For example, if I were to
write "Hernandez" using an 'a' with an accent mark, some terminals might
show this as "Hernndez" or as "Hern@ndez". To work around this
situation, some people have adopted the following strategies:
- Accent marks:* Place the mark after the letter (Mari'a, Jose').
* Use upper case (MarIa and JosE).
* Don't use an accent mark.
- Tildes: * Place a tilde (~) before or after the n (puertorrique~nos).
* Place a circumflex (^) before the n (puertorrique^nos).
* Use "ny" instead (puertorriquenyos).
* Use "nn" instead (puertorriquennos).
* Use "nh" instead (puertorriquenhos).
* Use upper case n (puertorriqueNos).
* Don't use a tilde (usually not recommended)
- Dieresis: * Place a colon after the letter (Mayagu:ez).
* Place a double quote after the letter (Mayagu"ez).
* Don't use a dieresis.
Your posting will be more readable if you use characters that can be
displayed at every terminal type. If you can see the characters
correctly in your terminal, it does not mean that everyone will be able
to see them as well. Those who wish to read an article that includes
special characters, refer to the document by Jorge Donato available at
< ftp://vision.ee.tulane.edu/pub/donato/spa.html >. Also, a filter to
to eliminate the special characters (for Unix systems) can be found at
< ftp://vision.ee.tulane.edu/pub/donato/ascfil >.
Contributions: Mauricio A. Hernandez and
Jorge Donato
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: How do I create a kill file?
Some news readers support the creation of a file, called "kill file",
to limit the articles that are accessed. The main purpose of the file
is to mark as read some articles based on some pattern. You can
eliminate all messages from a particular subject or a given person.
The following information is specific to the rn/trn news reader. [If
you have information for other news readers, send me a note with the
instructions. ]
Pressing a 'k' when reading an article you can mark as read all
articles with the same subject as the current one. Pressing 'K' will
do the same but will also add a line to the local kill file such that
the every time you read the group, articles with the same subject are
marked as read.
You can edit directly your kill file using control-K (^K). You can add
a line such as:
/unwanted subject/:j
to eliminate all articles that contain the string 'unwanted subject' in
the Subject: line.
To discard articles from a particular person, add
/^From:.*e-mail address/h:j
to the kill file where 'e-mail address' is the login name and the
complete site where the person is posting messages. You will need to
add a backslash ('\') before each dot in the site address.
For more information, read the "rn killfile FAQ" in news.answers or
< ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/killfile-faq > and the
manual pages for your news reader.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: PUERTO RICO
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean Island located about a thousand miles
southeast of Miami between the Dominican Republic and the U. S. Virgin
Islands. It is roughly 100 by 35 miles with a population of about
3.8 million people. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States
of America and we have common citizenship, currency and defense.
Although Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, residents of Puerto Rico do
not pay federal income tax (but neither can they vote in presidential
elections). Over 2 million Puerto Ricans live in the United States,
primarily in the northeast.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: Patron Saint Festivals
Every year, each town celebrates patron saint festivals (fiestas
patronales) in honor of the area's patron saint. The festivities
include religious processions since they were originated as a Catholic
tradition. However, they have adopted other elements of African and
local origin. They also include games, regional food, music and dance.
Following is a list, ordered by date, of the festivals that are
celebrated in each town. The festivities last ten days, including the
date listed, and activities are held evenings on weekdays and all day
on weekends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOWN PATRON SAINT DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aguas Buenas Los Santos Reyes Jan. 6
Corozal La Sagrada Familia Jan. 9
A~nasco San Antonio Abad Jan. 17
San Sebastia'n San Sebastia'n (of course) Jan. 20
Lajas La Virgen de la Candelaria Feb. 2
Manati' La Virgen de la Candelaria Feb. 2
Mayagu:ez La Virgen de la Candelaria Feb. 2
Coamo La Virgen de la Candelaria Feb. 2
Coamo San Blas Feb. 3
Loi'za Aldea San Patricio Mar. 17
Ciales San Jose' Mar. 19
Gurabo San Jose' Mar. 19
Luquillo San Jose' Mar. 19
Pe~nuelas San Jose' Mar. 19
Lares San Jose' Mar. 19
Patillas San Benito Mar. 31
Guaynabo San Pedro Ma'rtir Apr. 29
Arecibo Apo'stol San Felipe May 1
Bayamo'n La Santa Cruz May 3
Trujillo Alto La Santa Cruz May 3
Maunabo San Isidro May 15
Sabana Grande San Isidro Labrador May 15
Carolina San Fernando May 30
Toa Alta San Fernando May 30
Barranquitas San Antonio de Padua June 13
Ceiba San Antonio de Padua June 13
Dorado San Antonio de Padua June 13
Guayama San Antonio de Padua June 13
Isabela San Antonio de Padua June 13
Maricao San Juan Bautista June 24
Orocovis San Juan Bautista June 24
San Juan San Juan Bautista June 24
Toa Baja San Pedro Apo'stol June 30
Arroyo Virgen del Carmen July 16
Barceloneta Virgen del Carmen July 16
Cata~no Virgen del Carmen July 16
Cidra Virgen del Carmen July 16
Culebra Virgen del Carmen July 16
Hatillo Virgen del Carmen July 16
Morovis Virgen del Carmen July 16
Ri'o Grande Virgen del Carmen July 16
Villalba Virgen del Carmen July 16
Aibonito Santiago Apo'stol July 25
Fajardo Santiago Apo'stol July 25
Gua'nica Santiago Apo'stol July 25
Loiza Aldea Santiago Apo'stol July 25
Santa Isabel Santiago Apo'stol July 25
San Germa'n San Germa'n (of course) July 31
Comerio El Santo Cristo de la Salud Aug. 6
San Lorenzo San Lorenzo (of course) Aug. 10
Cayey Ntra. Sra. de la Asuncio'n Aug. 15
Adjuntas San Joaqui'n & Santa Ana Aug. 21
Rinco'n Santa Rosa de Lima Aug. 30
Juana Diaz San Ramo'n Nonato Aug. 31
Hormigueros Ntra. Sra. de la Monserrate Sept. 8
Jayuya Ntra. Sra. de la Monserrate Sept. 8
Moca Ntra. Sra. de la Monserrate Sept. 8
Salinas Ntra. Sra. de la Monserrate Sept. 8
Cabo Rojo San Miguel Arca'ngel Sept. 29
Naranjito San Miguel Arca'ngel Sept. 29
Utuado San Miguel Arca'ngel Sept. 29
Yabucoa Los Angeles Custodios Oct. 2
Aguada San Francisco de Asi's Oct. 4
Naguabo Ntra. Sra. del Rosario Oct. 7
Vega Baja Ntra. Sra. del Rosario Oct. 7
Yauco Ntra. Sra. del Rosario Oct. 7
Cano'vanas La Virgen del Pilar Oct. 12
Ri'o Piedras La Virgen del Pilar Oct. 12
Quebradillas San Rafael Arca'ngel Oct. 24
Aguadilla San Carlos Borromeo Nov. 4
Guayanilla La Inmaculada Concepcio'n Dec. 8
de Mari'a
Humacao La Inmaculada Concepcio'n Dec. 8
de Mari'a
Juncos La Inmaculada Concepcio'n Dec. 8
de Mari'a
Las Mari'as La Inmaculada Concepcio'n Dec. 8
de Mari'a
Las Piedras La Inmaculada Concepcio'n Dec. 8
de Mari'a
Vega Alta La Inmaculada Concepcio'n Dec. 8
de Mari'a
Vieques La Inmaculada Concepcio'n Dec. 8
de Mari'a
Ponce Ntra. Sra. de la Guadalupe Dec. 12
Contributions: Jimmy Gonzalez Luna from the
book of Jennie Sosa de Remy, "Etiqueta y Tradiciones Puertorrique~nas",
Art Printing Inc., pp. 242-243, 1980.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: Christmas Celebrations
In Puerto Rico, as well as most of Latin America, Christmas traditions
have their roots in Catholicism. Due to contact with other cultures,
some of these traditions have evolved and changed through time. Some
customs have lost their religious meaning and become secular events
where everybody, regardless of religious affiliation, participate.
Here is the calendar of celebrations for the Christmas holidays in
Puerto Rico.
MISAS DE AGUINALDO [Nine consecutive nights before Christmas Eve]
- In the Catholic tradition these masses are celebrated with music
and carols. They are celebrated at dawn (between 5:00 and 6:00am)
during nine days before Christmas Eve.
- The favorite music instruments to use during these masses, and
throughout the season, are: "el cuatro" (a small guitar); the
guitar; "el gu:iro" (a hollow wood shell made from the skin of a
fruit called "higuera"); and "maracas" (made from the same fruit
as the "gui:ro", but smaller and round).
- These masses originated in Mexico and Central America, to motivate
the Native Americans to join Christianity. Native Americans in
Mexico used to celebrate the birth of their Sun God during
December, with music and dancing. Catholic missionaries
incorporated these custom to their masses to make them more
appealing to the Natives and facilitate the transition from one
faith to another.
- From Mexico, this custom spread to the Caribbean. It is unknown in
South America and Spain.
MISA DE GALLO [December 24 at midnight]
- In the Catholic Church, this mass is celebrated on December 24 at
midnight. Its purpose is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Like in
the "Aguinaldo" mass, there is music and singing, but the
atmosphere is more solemn.
NOCHEBUENA [Christmas Eve - December 24]
- A special dinner or party is organized by many families to
celebrate the birthday of Jesus at home.
- The menu varies from one family to another, but it usually
includes a special dish, like baked chicken or turkey, and roasted
pork or ham.
- The main dish is accompanied by Spanish rice with pigeon peas,
local vegetables like cooked green bananas, fried plantains or
cooked yam. Another Holiday dish is called "pasteles". It's made
of mashed green bananas, filled with meat and other vegetables,
wrapped in the leaves of the banana tree (the leaves are only for
wrapping, we don't eat them). They are cooked in boiling water.
- We also have Holiday desserts like: "arroz con dulce" (rice cooked
with spices, sugar, milk, and coconut milk) and "tembleque" (a
custard made with cornstarch, sugar, and coconut milk). They
taste better cool down or cold, when its consistency becomes more
solid.
- The nougat, imported from Spain, is another popular sweet dish
during the Holidays. Nuts are also popular.
NAVIDAD [Christmas - December 25]
- Christians celebrate Jesus' birthday.
- Santa Claus brings gifts to the children who had been good during
the year. This custom originated in the USA, but since the 1940's
has become part of Puerto Rico's Holiday traditions. In other
Spanish-speaking countries like Spain and Mexico is also becoming
popular.
- The Christmas tree is another custom imported from the USA. We
decorate a pine tree (natural or artificial) with lights and
adornments. The houses are also decorated with lights.
- People build "nacimientos" (also called "Belens" or "pesebres",
known in English as cribs or creches). These cribs recreate the
story of Jesus' birth. They are made with scale figures made of
wood, plastic or porcelain. The complexity of the crib varies
from one place to another. Some are simple, with the figures of
Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. Others include the three Wise Men,
shepherds, animals, buildings, etc. In some Catholic churches,
large and elaborate cribs are built as altars for people to visit
them on Christmas Eve.
DIA DE LOS INOCENTES [Day of the Innocents - December 28]
- During this day, Catholics remember the children killed by Herod,
as it is told in the Gospel.
- People used to celebrate this day like a carnival, where some men
dressed as the "evil soldiers of Herod", and went house by house,
"kidnapping" the first-born boy from every family. To recover
their children, the families had to offer the soldiers gifts, and
when the children returned to their homes, a big party was
organized to celebrate the return of the "lost boys".
- In Puerto Rico, this carnival still takes place in one small town
called Hatillo. The whole town joins in the parade and later on
in a big party at the public square. In another town called
Morovis, a similar event takes place, but in a smaller scale.
This carnival originated in the Canaries isles, and were brought
to Puerto Rico by immigrants from that place.
- Today, this day is celebrated in a different way. People make
tricks and stories to fool others, resembling the April Fool's
Day in the USA.
A~NO VIEJO [New Year's Eve - December 31]
- People celebrate the end of the year with relatives and friends,
or going out. The end of year is a symbol of a new beginning,
when people make changes to improve their lives. The major event
occurs at midnight, when everybody greets each other and wishes
good luck and happiness to everyone.
- Some people eat 12 grapes, one for every time the clock rings its
bells to tell time. It is supposed to bring good luck if you can
eat all 12 grapes before the clock stops ringing the bells. Of
course, not everybody have wall clocks with ringing bells, so the
custom varies.
- In Puerto Rico, right at midnight, TV and radio stations broadcast
a famous poem called "El Brindis del Bohemio", which tells the
story of a group of friends together in a bar celebrating the New
Year.
- The celebration continues all night long.
VISPERA DE EPIFANIA [Epiphany's Eve - January 5]
- Catholics meet in a neighbor's house to pray the rosary and to
honor the three Wise Men (saints in the Catholic faith). This
custom is almost forgotten by the younger generations.
- The children get ready to receive gifts from the three Wise Men by
collecting fresh cut grass in a shoe box. The grass is for the
Wise Men's camels, who are tired and hungry from their long
journey. Some people also put pastries, food and drinks for the
Wise Men under the Christmas tree or along with the grass under
the children's bed.
DIA DE REYES [Three Kings' Day or Epiphany - January 6]
- The children get to open the gifts left the night before by the
three Wise Men (or Kings).
- A party similar to the one celebrated in Christmas day is organized
by the family, with the same Holiday menu and music.
- The Orthodox Church celebrates Jesus' birthday on this day.
OCTAVAS & OCTAVITAS [January 15]
- According to tradition, if you received a visit from a friend or
relative on Three Kings' day, you are supposed to return the
visit eight days later, playing live music and singing songs. The
name "Octavas" comes from the word "octavo" (eighth), since the
event takes place eight days after January 6.
- People still remember this tradition, but is not practiced as
much. Some families choose this day to take off the Christmas
decorations and "officially" end Christmas.
Contributions: Jimmy Gonzalez Luna from
- Kennedy, Pamela, "A Christmas Celebration: Traditions & Customs from
Around the World". Nashville: Ideals Publishing Corp., 1992.
- Ross & Lopez, "Christmas In Mexico". Chicago: World Books Inc., 1983.
- Sosa de Remy, Jennie, "Etiqueta & Tradiciones Puertoriquen~as".
San Juan: Art Printing Inc., 1980.
- "BOLETIN ARTES POPULARES: LAS FIESTAS TRADICIONALES DE PUERTO RICO".
San Juan: Instituto de Cultura Puertorrique~na, 1980.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Subject: National Symbols
|\###########| Puerto Rico's flag has a white star in a light blue
Section 1 of 3 - Prev - Next
All sections - 1 - 2 - 3
| Back to category Travel - Use Smart Search |
| Home - Smart Search - About the project - Feedback |
© allanswers.org | Terms of use