La Purisima

As a result of Spanish colonization, Catholicism is King in Nicaragua.  The first week of December, the country goes all out for a celebration of the Virgin Mary known as La Purisima.  Each day, in cities throughout the country, neighborhoods are awaken at 4 in the morning by drums, trumpets, trombones, and the like to be at mass by 7.  Our neighborhood celebration was Sunday, December 1st.  My host mom, a very active member of the church was runnin' this.

For special events such as the 19th of July (anniversary of the Revolution), birthdays, and religious events, an early morning, big band wake up call is run of the mill.  You're waken up on the 19th by trucks slowly passing by, loaded down with concert speakers blasting the phrase "Viva Sandino" in a voice that sounds as antiquated as the revolution itself.  On Sunday, I woke to a big band procession, unaware that it was our neighborhoods Purisima and chalking it up to the circus that has been posted on our block, I went back to sleep.  I woke to find my entire house bustling by 9.  My host mom's family had come in from Managua, there was a giant bowl of Spaghetti cooking in the courtyard to feed those praying to the Virgin Mary, stationed on our corner, and young boys and men constructing and decorating the carosa or float that was to carry the Virgin and several angels (all young girls from our barrio).

We sat outside in our rocking chairs for a few hours to rest before the actual procession which began at 8.  The entire neighborhood was in attendance as we walked the 8 blocks to the PanAmerican Highway, doubled back and ended at the Church where the Virgin was placed on an alter and prayer continued.

The Carosa Construction.

Maria nos lleva a vivir la Eucaristia.  Mary leads us to live the Communion.

Angels on the Float.

The Purisima passing the PanAmerican Highway.

        This whole week, the first of December, these same processions will be happening throughout the country.  Each day, different neighborhoods celebrate the Purisima with their own floats, each one more elaborate than the next (a competition of sorts).  On Saturday, the griteria takes place throughout the country, a tradition originating in Leon.  In Rivas, the calle de milionarios or street of millionares, named as such as before the revolution, this main street was where many wealthy families lived, will serve as the setting.  It's been likened to Halloween in that families pass out fresco, pan, and other assortments.  As per my host mom's suggestion, I'll be bringing a pillow case this Saturday as fellow Rivenses walk through the street asking "Quien causa tanta alegria?"  The response being "La Concepcion de Maria!"