When it comes to Latin American holidays, then many people only hear about the Brazilian carnival. But other events also take place on the continent, which are sometimes so unusual that guests from other countries have difficulty understanding what such a massive celebration is dedicated to.

One of the most unusual Latin American holidays can be considered the “Festival of the Scramble” or “Tinku”, which is held in Bolivia. At the same time, the first surprise here is that the holiday takes place not in one of the large Bolivian cities, but in the territory of the small local village of Acacio. The festivities, if you can call what happens here that way, consist of the following: the priest, having finished his mass, gives the signal to the participants to begin the battle dedicated to the harvest. After this signal, the Indians begin to beat each other fiercely, demonstrating their strength and joy over how much corn they managed to grow this year. Surprisingly, both men and women hit each other. At the same time, there are no restrictions in the fight. You can hit anywhere and with anything. Sometimes it can even lead to the death of one of the participants in the battle. The Bolivian authorities do not prohibit the holiday, if only because this tradition is several hundred years old. Tens of thousands of tourists and participants in Indian fights without rules arrive in Acacio for this strange event.

Among the unusual Latin American holidays The Mexican festival of laughter stands apart. We celebrate it on April 1, but the people of Mexico celebrate it on December 28. At the same time, the origins of the holiday have nothing to do with humor, because its official name is the Day of the Innocent Infants of Bethlehem. And this holiday is associated with the killing of infants by King Herod. Indeed, at first glance it’s no laughing matter. However, on this day, every Mexican considers it his mission to deceive his comrade, passer-by, or merchant. Why? Yes, the whole point is that when the Virgin Mary was carrying Jesus, Herod’s guards stood on her road and wanted to take the baby away from her. But the Mother of God offered a prayer to heaven and instead of a baby, the soldiers saw a bouquet of roses in the bundle. They had to let Maria go. It was this story that served as a reason for general Mexican joy. On this day, even store sellers need to keep their eyes open so that an overly cheerful city dweller does not take a package of cheese or other products out of the store without paying. However, on this day in Mexico even a thief will be treated with understanding.

To the unusual Latin American holidays refers to a holiday dedicated to voodoo shamans in Jamaica. On this holiday, several hundred voodoo shamans gather in one of the coastal cities of the island and compete in their paranormal abilities. They say that at this holiday you can witness levitation, reincarnation and other unknown phenomena. At the same time, the holiday of shamanism is accompanied by frequent sacrifices, which an ordinary person would find unpleasant to watch. Residents of Jamaica themselves are enthusiastic when a shaman pierces himself through with a red-hot metal rod, stopping the blood with one touch of his little finger.

Latin American Holidays, as we have already understood, do not always represent the processions and mass celebrations that are familiar to us.

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The colorful colors of Latin American carnivals

Many people unfairly believe that Latin American carnivals are a series of grandiose and colorful events in Brazil. This is far from true. In addition to Brazil, a number of South and Central American countries hold their own carnivals at regular intervals.

Rooms are filled with flowers, the smell of copal and other incense wafts through the hallways, and kitchens prepare delicacies for donation. This is preparation for the Day of the Dead, Santolo in Nahuatl. The tradition of its celebration comes from the culture of the nomadic Huastec tribes who inhabited Tamaulipas and the surrounding Atlantic regions. Deceased relatives are commemorated from October 28 to November 2.

According to Huastec beliefs, the souls of the dead should return to the world of the living on these autumn days and visit their homes, entering through the windows. Those returning from another world must be greeted with special honors and tributes. Preparation for the special days begins long ago, even in the summer, when planting and joint watering of fields with marigolds - ritual flowers - begins. Another task is purchasing turkeys, chickens and piglets for fattening. In addition, women begin to embroider tablecloths and napkins that will decorate furniture in their homes and special altars.

Flowers, candles, photographs and foodstuffs that the deceased loved during his lifetime are placed on the altars to commemorate the dead. There are several types of altars:

• two-level altars representing heaven and earth - the fruits of agriculture and such gifts of heaven as rainwater;
• three-level altars incorporating Catholic religious ideas about heaven, earth and the underworld, as well as elements of the Holy Trinity;
• seven-level altars, the most traditional in the region and having connections with the Aztec worldview and their concepts of the seven deadly sins and the spiritual world.

On the first holiday, October 28, family members gather together to grind cocoa and prepare ritual drinks. These moments are announced by church bells - a sign that the dead are coming into the world of the living, and cups of hot cocoa filled with fluffy marshmallows and dark chocolate crumbs, chocolate with whipped cream and several varieties of ritual atoles made from rice flour with milk and nuts are already smoking for them. and cinnamon.

Sugar skulls

By October 30, they make their last purchases - they stock up on oranges, tangerines, chilies, peanuts, as well as traditional sweets - pastries and candies in the form of candied skulls. Flower arches are added to the altars, which are made from sugar cane stalks. They are decorated with marigolds, and baskets with cookies, nuts, sugar skulls and fruits, bowls with drinks and things of the deceased with candles are placed next to the table.

On October 31, dead children are remembered. For the wake they prepare soup, sweet tamales, baked goods with chocolate - that is, everything that children love so much. Adult relatives are remembered the next day, and the holiday menu changes to include spicy food, meat stews, beer, and liqueurs. On the same day, November 1, the road from the cemetery to the house is lined with marigolds so that the soul of a relative does not get lost and returns to his home along the path marked with flowers. Mass celebrations are held in the streets, with the music of violins and dancing - danzas de los huehues - the dance of the old people. Ancient Indian shamans performed such dances so that widows would find their husbands killed in battles, and only men dressed in black clothes, wooden masks, colored scarves, hats with ribbons and gloves were allowed to perform them. Now women can also take part in the dance. They dress in bright dresses with short sleeves, decorated with ribbons. The action is accompanied by joy and laughter, so that each of the souls of the departed feels the warmth of welcome in the world of the living.

At dawn on the last day, everyone goes to the cemetery, carrying sacrificial food, to be with their relatives for the last time and share joyful moments. In the afternoon, fireworks begin to be set off, and bells ring again throughout the area, meaning that the dead have found peace and returned to their world until the next Day of the Dead.

Latin America is a region that attracts tourists with its ancient history, culture, and, of course, unique atmosphere. The colorful holidays celebrated by Latin Americans deserve special attention.

Brazilian Carnival - a holiday of millions

On the opening day, thousands of its participants dress up in nun costumes and take to the streets of the city. This custom has a completely logical explanation. According to legend, once upon a time the nuns ran away from the monastery for the sake of a colorful show and returned to their monasteries only on the last day of the carnival.

The Brazilian carnival is considered one of the largest and most spectacular shows in the world, with about two million people participating. The city is decorated with beautiful decorations and illuminations. Water battles, dances of all nations of the world, bright costumes - immersion in this atmosphere will be remembered for a long time and will give a lot of positive impressions.
Tickets should be purchased in advance; prices start at $500. You can also purchase costumes and take part in this grand show.

The date of the: depends on the Catholic calendar. The end of the festival also marks the beginning of Lent. In 2018, the celebration will take place from February 9 to 14.

Pisco Sur Cocktail Day in Peru

Every year on the first Saturday of February, a holiday begins in the country, including competitions, fairs, and concerts. The main attribute is “the most elegant cocktail in Latin America,” prepared with pisco grape vodka.

On the day of the holiday, the cocktail is distributed free of charge on the streets. A great way for tourists to get acquainted with the taste of this drink. After the tasting, a large-scale celebration begins. People are genuinely having fun, dancing, singing. If you want to be part of this celebration, go to the south of the country, where the most grandiose spectacle awaits you.

The date of the: annually on the fourth Sunday of July.

Tinku - celebration of “fight”

The residents of Bolivia were not left out either. The holiday, which will be discussed below, is one of the most exotic. The name itself tells us that it is not dancing and fun that captivates people on this day, and not even alcoholic drinks, but a fight.

This holiday has its own traditions. Before the main action begins, the priest reads a long mass. Only after the padre says “Amen” does the battle begin, in which men and women of all ages take part.

The blood that pours from the wounds is absorbed into the ground. It is believed that this gift will increase productivity. Tinka is held twice a year, during sowing and harvest. This tradition has come from ancient times, and the residents of the village of Acacio monitor its observance. She is quite cruel, there are no rules in battle.

Dates: in May and September.

The day of the Dead

It is celebrated annually on November 2. On this day people remember the dead.
Each country has its own celebrations. Mexicans decorate the graves of their dead with orange flowers. In their homes, an altar is built in their honor, on which photographs and the deceased’s favorite food are placed. Mexicans give each other sugar skulls. In Nicaragua, people spend the night in a cemetery to pay their respects. Residents of Ecuador are having a real feast in the cemetery. On this day, some families use bones to tell fortunes; there is a belief that the deceased will help them resolve problems and answer difficult questions. Latin Americans consider death a natural event, so no one is sad on this day.

Fiesta del Fuego, festival of lights

The “hottest” holiday on our list is the fire festival in Cuba. It lasts from the third to the ninth of July. Local vocal and instrumental ensembles perform on the streets of the city, adding an extraordinary mood to the holiday with their music. At every step there are trays with food and the traditional Cuban drink - rum.

As night falls, the city is illuminated by many burning torches. The most interesting part of the event begins: the fire show and performances of fakirs. The holiday ends with a magnificent fireworks display.
This holiday is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the unusual flavor of Cuba, see the Fire Parade and take part in the ritual burning of the symbolic figure of the devil.
Admission to the festival is free, which makes it especially attractive for tourists.

When we have snow, carnival time begins in hot, sunny summer Latin America on the eve of Lent. To see the famous procession of half-naked beauties dancing samba to the beat of drums, you can go not only to Rio de Janeiro. A whirlwind of cheerful madness is sweeping over all countries of the continent these days.

Brazil

The biggest show on the planet takes place annually in the last week before Lent in Rio de Janeiro. The customs of ritual dances of African slaves and the European traditions of Catholic immigrants organizing riotous celebrations on the eve of long abstinence mixed and today turned into a colorful procession-competition between the 14 most famous samba schools. The general fun begins on Friday when the mayor hands over the keys to the city to the carnival king, who becomes a full-fledged ruler who can even make any laws. Each samba school prepares its own performance, lasting 82 minutes. The column, which must parade in front of the audience and the jury, consists of 3-5 thousand people: these are “walking” dancing beauties, and moving platforms, a place on which can be purchased by anyone who is not sorry to part with several hundred euros in order to to walk 700 meters along the sambadrome - a special alley surrounded by stands. In each of the samba schools, they rehearse dances for a whole year, sew costumes, think through the design of the carts, develop a script for the theatrical procession, and therefore in Brazil they say that the carnival begins the next day after its end.

Argentina

Incendiary dances and songs, bright outfits decorated with feathers and sequins do not leave the streets of Argentine cities for two whole months. This country hosts the longest carnival in the world. From about the first Saturday in January until the first Saturday in March, every weekend the streets are filled with dancers performing passionate samba to the rhythmic beat of hundreds of drums. Moreover, the most colorful celebrations do not take place in the capital. If you want to be at the epicenter of the action, head to the towns of Gualeguaychu, Corrientes, Libresi and Pasodelos. It is there that the carnival fields-"corsodromo" and the longest stands for spectators await you.

Belize

Even this small country has its own carnival. Don't miss the opening of the holiday - the grand parade in San Pedro! Among the most popular events are dancing competitions, and the most popular are usually those dressed as women. Just when you wear your best outfit to the carnival, know that at this time it is customary to sprinkle each other with multi-colored powder.

Bolivia

No matter what region of Bolivia you vacation in, the ten-day carnival will overtake you everywhere. The cheerful holiday appeared back in the 18th century, when local Indians were forced to disguise their pagan rituals as Catholic holidays. The most famous carnival, recognized by the UN as the “Spiritual Heritage of Humanity,” takes place in the town of Oruro. Tens of thousands of costumed dancers and musicians participate in the main parade, which lasts 20 hours. The most ancient dance of this festival tells the story of the struggle between good and evil and is called diavlada. And the five-kilometer procession ends with a general genuflection in front of the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Venezuela

For Venezuelans, carnival is their favorite holiday. For several days, the business life of the country comes to a standstill, and colorful events are held in all cities, each with its own. Having traveled through several villages at this time, you will be surprised to discover that the traditions are completely different everywhere: in some there are music festivals, in others there are processions, in others there are folk performances. However, traveling around the country during the carnival is not recommended: too many people drunk and intoxicated by various substances get behind the wheel, which leads to a huge number of accidents every year.

Dominican Republic

If Lent has begun and you think you've already missed all the carnivals this year, head to the Dominican Republic. The holiday in this country begins only on February 28 and lasts a whole week (although in the provinces they can be so wild to the rhythms of national merengue melodies that they will not stop until Easter). The main character of the performances is the devil. Moreover, in each region of the country it is customary to dress it up in its own way. The final procession of carts, arriving from all over the country, takes place in Santo Domingo, on the embankment. Here, in the capital, awards are given out for the most outstanding performance.

Colombia

This country hosts one of the largest carnivals in the world, declared by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The location is the city of Barranquilla. Many years ago, the religious holiday mixed with local traditions: African slaves celebrated their only day off of the year. Theatre, songs, dances - everything merged together and turned into a grandiose, exciting spectacle. The first parade takes place in January. It begins with the reading of the decree. Night processions, children's processions, and orchestra performances last a couple of weeks.

Trinidad and Tobago

The carnival in this tiny island state is not inferior to the Brazilian one in terms of entertainment. The celebration lasts only 2 days, but it is the noisiest, wildest and craziest holiday in the entire Caribbean. The opening of the carnival takes place in the capital at Queen Savannah Park. Days and nights in the open air there are musical and dance performances, fairs, exhibitions, all kinds of colorful shows and calypso competitions - the unique music of African slaves who were forbidden to communicate, and therefore they were forced to replace conversation with special songs.

Chile

The spring carnival in Atacama is perhaps the most “non-tourist” of all such Latin American holidays. Only a few lucky foreigners manage to see everything that happens with their own eyes. Local residents do not want outsiders to participate in it, and therefore will never tell visiting guests where it will take place. If you accidentally hear music and singing, prepare for the unexpected: these days it is customary to sprinkle flour on everyone indiscriminately and then pour grape juice on them. Carnival in Chile is completely different from the usual colorful dance processions. In Atacama, participants in the action... carol: they go from house to house, sing peculiar ditties and accept simple treats from their owners.

Dominica

Carnival in Dominica is the best time to visit the island. These days, costumed groups fill the streets of the capital - Roseau, where colorful and noisy competitions are held to choose the queen of the carnival, and calypso singers compete in singing songs on the most relevant topics this year. The local holiday did not become an exact copy of other Caribbean carnivals, but preserved the cultural traditions of the island and the settlers. During the processions, carnival participants dress in traditional West African costumes made from ropes and banana leaves and accessorized with a mask. And the celebration ends with the burning of the carnival spirit, which marks the beginning of Lent.

Cuba
In Cuba, Christmas was recognized as an official holiday only 13 years ago. Since this state declared itself a purely atheistic power under the influence of communism and socialism, Christmas celebrations here have been suspended since 1969.

However, in 1997, President Castro reinstated Christmas as a public holiday to honor Pope John Paul II during his visit to the Latin American country.

Today, Christmas for Cuba has become one of the most enchanting celebrations: millions of Cubans gather on Christmas Eve in numerous temples and churches in order to personally hear the ringing of bells, announcing the onset of one of the biggest holidays on our planet.

Like the majority of the population of our planet, Christmas for Cubans is primarily a Christmas cake and numerous sweets with ripe Cuban fruits. However, unlike most European countries, where the main dish at Christmas is the traditional Christmas turkey, Cubans cook pork and beans, serving it with original apple cider.

Argentina
In Argentina, everything seems to be traditional. The whole family gathers for the last dinner of the year - they sit down at the table around 23:00 and wait until midnight, when the fireworks light up. Afterwards, young people go to New Year's parties in clubs and dance there until the morning. And on the first day of the new year, most people certainly go swimming in rivers, lakes or public pools. As a Christmas tree in Argentina, as in Uruguay, the majority of the population erects traditional pine needles, decorating it with gold stars, glass balls and candles. All gifts take their place of honor at home near the Christmas tree, where another indispensable attribute is the presence of a small container - a feeder, in which, according to history, Jesus was born. The magical evening of Christmas in these countries is also certainly decorated with various flower arrangements: since the celebration of Christmas falls here at the height of summer, there are no particular problems with purchasing fragrant, bright inflorescences. Women adorn themselves with flower necklaces, and especially large and bright flowers are attached to their hair.

It is worth noting that, despite the Christmas traditions of most countries, Christmas in Argentina and Uruguay is not a cozy, quiet family holiday, but rather fun and larger-scale picnics with trips to nature.

Brazil
On New Year's Eve, grand parties are held in all cities of Brazil, especially in Rio de Janeiro. Pyrotechnic shows are held on the beaches. Once upon a time, fire shows were part of religious rituals, but now for Brazilians they have simply turned into colorful performances, attracting, among other things, crowds of tourists. Preparations for the party begin on the morning of December 31st, and the action unfolds at midnight. Everyone begins to wish each other love, health, and money in the new year. The largest such show attracts several million people. One of the most popular Brazilian entertainments is a game show in which several women try to kidnap the newborn Jesus from his cradle, and the task of the rest of those present is to stop them.
Mass celebrations and processions are accompanied by the inevitable tasting of Brazilian Christmas dishes. Small canapes, an abundance of sweet pastries and plenty of red wine. To attract good luck in the coming year, Brazilians usually wear white clothes.
After midnight, you must jump over seven waves and, making a wish, throw flowers into the sea. This will bring good luck and wealth. People believe that the goddess who protects the sea will help wishes come true. Candles are lit in the sand on the shore. Such traditions probably came from a mixture of African and Indian cultures that developed in Brazil and spread from coast to coast.

Colombia
In some cities in Colombia it is customary to burn an effigy of the Old Year. The process requires the indispensable participation of the whole family. Everyone works together to make a large doll, symbolizing the passing year, and stuff it with all sorts of things. The items that fill the doll are often symbolic - usually things that bring sadness or bad memories. Or just all sorts of unnecessary junk. The main requirement is that it burns well. To make the spectacle even more exciting, several firecrackers are hidden inside.

Mexico
New Year in Mexico is celebrated with family and friends. Sitting in front of the TV, Mexicans wait until the clock strikes midnight, and with each chime they try to eat a grape, having time to make 12 wishes. Then everyone hugs and congratulates each other. Very often, to find love in the New Year, people wear red underwear; this tradition, however, is more popular among women. Some people start walking in front of the house with a suitcase - this is to travel more in the coming year.

Venezuela
And in Venezuela, to attract good luck, it is customary to wear yellow underwear for the New Year. Just like in Mexico, when the clock strikes midnight, everyone tries to eat 12 grapes. Some people write wishes in a letter and then burn it so that no one can read the wish, otherwise it will not come true.

Chile
Santa Claus in Chile is called Viejo Pascuero (Christmas Old Man), who, like his European counterpart, visits numerous Chilean homes, announcing the arrival of Christmas and giving the household pleasant Christmas gifts. However, according to the legend (unlike the European scenario of Santa Claus), Viejo Pascuero enters the homes of Chileans not through the chimney (since, due to the hot climate, such construction techniques could not be used in Chile), but through the window.
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