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The Story of La Purisima and La Griteria: A Unique Nicaraguan Sacred Tradition Adapted to Louisiana. By Denese Neu
The Tradition in Nicaragua Celebrating A Unique Nicaraguan Sacred Tradition In Southeast Louisiana
Staying true to the traditional custom, many Nicaraguan immigrants continue to set up private altars in their homes for their family, friends, and neighbors. These private events are supported and attended, but the dispersion of the community does not make it easy for Nicaraguans to be highly cohesive and to travel to the private altars. In Louisiana, La Griteria has not lost its importance but it cannot be the large outdoor public celebration it is in Nicaragua. The organizers at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Kenner state that La Purisima is "one of the most important traditions we want and need to keep." To do so, they have adapted La Purisima and La Griteria to serve the Nicaraguan community. Using the celebration to bring Nicaraguans together, they also honor their heritage. Without an organized La Purisima and La Griteria, many Nicaraguans would have very little contact with others from their native country and a place to enjoy the cultural traditions. The organizers explain that while they are invited to visit private altars, they began organizing a public event 16 years ago. About 15 people organize and fund the celebration. To offset the expense, they hold an annual fundraiser by selling traditional meal plates, such as nacatamales, and sell raffle tickets. The raffle drawing is conducted during La Purisima and the items include many figures of Mary. One celebrant who explained different happenings during the Spanish Mass told about winning a statue the year before. She was upset that she had forgotten to bring her this year and said, "I wanted to place her on the altar so she could enjoy her party." Alfredo Narvaez explains that this is welcome as are gifts that people send to be placed upon the altar. Although planning begins months earlier and food preparation takes several days, the few hours before the event are frenzied. The organizers, along with their older children, decorate the room with blue and white streamers, set up the altar, and hang blue and white curtains as a back drop. Blue and white balloons are blown up, twisted together and hung to line the walls above head level. Blue and white are selected for the decorations because they are the colors of Nicaragua as well as the colors associated with Mary. Rows of chairs are placed to face the altar. In the kitchen, drinks are mixed, food plates prepared, and boxes of gifts are delivered. The excitement is obvious as the organizers and volunteers create meals and assemble the traditional gift items to be distributed later. Some of the young adult children depart after helping their parents with preparations. To the observer, it is obvious that they respect the tradition, but they are young and they are living lives of young Louisianians. One son stated that he normally stays, but this year it was a Friday night and other things were happening. Prior to La Purisima and La Griteria, a Spanish Mass incorporating Nicaraguan heritage is held. Juan Gutierrez explains that in Nicaragua, "the churches are empty" because the celebration occurs in the community. The Church is necessary for the event in Louisiana. Martha Narvaez tells how the church welcomed them when they arrived in Louisiana as refugees from the revolution. The Church played a vital role in helping them establish a new home and connect with other Nicaraguan immigrants, but December 7 was just a regular day on the church calendar. The priest at the time was supportive of the celebration but "we had to compete to reserve the church. Now they know and save it for us each year." At St. Jerome, La Purisima is always held on December 7 regardless of the day of the week. Other churches will hold it in conjunction with the Saturday Spanish Mass closest to the 7th. Catholic Mass begins with a procession; for La Purisma, this procession includes symbols of Nicaragua. Young women in traditional dresses carry the Nicaraguan flag and a statue of the Blessed Virgin. The dresses, imported from Nicaragua, are bright with hand-embroidered images depicting the flora and fauna of Nicaragua. The items carried by the young women are placed at the front of the church to be blessed by the priest. To help pass La Purisima to younger generations, the story is told as part of the Mass. At the end of Mass, the procession leads the celebrants to the hall where they will face the altar assembled by the organizers. Some celebrants sneak through side doors and scuttle before the procession in order to grab one of the coveted seats. The hall is not large enough for the estimated 250 people who attend. After the chairs are filled, a few more find their way into spaces along the wall. Reverend Alberto, who presided over Mass, is given a chair near the altar. He is one of the first to shout "Quién causa tanta alegría?" He is not Nicaraguan, but serves the Central American community. Reverend Alberto shared that the gifts are symbolic of Mary's gifts of love and message that people must help each other. The celebrants continue to push their way in and stand along the walls, in the aisles, and then fill up the back. No one seemed to leave discouraged. The Nicaraguans (and other Latin Americans) who came to celebrate represented a cross-section of the community. Men and women of all ages were present, many with young children in tow and still in work clothes. Because the people cannot travel to a variety of altars as is tradition, one altar serves as the focal point. Alfredo Narvaez is responsible for its creation. When asked how he plans the altars, he explains that everyone is welcome to share their ideas and visions. Some people have come to him with images from their dreams. He explains that each year the altar is different but certain ornamental traditions, such as lights and flowers, are always present. The altar in 2007, simple and beautiful, had the blue and white colors of Nicaragua and a statue of Mary placed atop a ball of blue and white lights. Flowers adorned the table and arrangements sent as gifts were placed on the floor along the front. Descriptions of previous year's altars indicate that these can become quite elaborate and have included backdrops depicting the Nicaraguan landscape of volcanoes and banana trees. One year, a flag read "Nicaragua es [is] Maria; Maria es Nicaragua" symbolizing the cultural role of the Virgin Mary and her connection with the identity of the country. Among the few churches where La Purisima is celebrated in Southeast Louisiana, the artistry of the altars has become an informal competition. Several years ago, this was formalized with an altar competition held at Kenner's Rivertown. It was not repeated because the organizers felt that the religious component was lost. Canticles are the most important part of La Purisima. In Southeast Louisiana, the choir plays a significant role in the celebration. Unable to go from altar to altar to sing, the choir stands beside the altar and sings while celebrants join in with those songs they know. In many ways, it is similar to a large Christmas caroling event but is much more festive…and sacred. The songs are passed from generation to generation, and some are obviously more well-known than others based on the celebrants' participation. The organizers explain that the easier songs are more common because of the children and say, "They have to learn them and sing them for the gifts." Unlike festivals where people are moving around and engaged in different activities, the celebrants all sit or stand facing the altar. The choir assembles to start the celebration. As the first song concludes, the organizers emerge from the kitchen and begin distributing the first gift. It is a delicious cacao drink; a traditional gift of cold spiced chocolate milk. The songs and gifts continue for the next hour. The shout "Quién causa tanta alegría?" is frequently heard and answered by the crowd "La Concepcion de Maria!" during song breaks. The songs are nearly continuous except for a few resting periods during which the raffle drawings are done. These breaks appear to be much appreciated rests for the choir members and give them an opportunity to enjoy the gifts they have received as well. There are no speeches; no one addresses the audience except with festivity. The organizers carefully select the gifts and stay as close to tradition as possible. Alfredo Narvaez states that they have difficulties importing certain items from Nicaragua and must adapt. Martha Narvaez later shares that because they have been fairly successful with locating and importing items from home, other immigrant groups have asked them for assistance so that they too can maintain traditions. Elizabeth Gutierrez, a dietician, leads the effort of providing the traditional foods associated with La Purisima and Nicaragua. Some foods are specific to La Purisima and others are simply traditional Nicaraguan items. In addition to making them for La Purisima at St. Jerome's, she has begun writing the recipes at home to pass onto her children. As the songs are performed, the gifts come out one at a time. The crowd is patient but excited to see what is next. A meat pie followed the cacao. Then a food that is as important to La Purisima as the songs is served. It is ajote en miel, pumpkin in molasses and honey. The room quiets a bit as people relish the taste. More songs bring more gifts for nearly an hour. Bags imported from Nicaragua are imprinted with the image of the Virgin Mary and the shouting "Quién causa tanta alegría? La Concepcion de Maria!" Each celebrant receives three bags. One held American candies like those given at Halloween; another contained a variety of homemade Nicaraguan candies: caramels, fudge, and coconut. These obviously took great care and time to make. The last bag distributed contained a triad of fruits: orange, apple, and banana. Fruit is also a traditional La Purisima gift. In addition to the smaller food items and gift bags, each celebrant received a plate of food. Elizabeth Gutierrez explained that each year they serve a different traditional Nicaraguan food but it is not necessarily traditional to La Purisima. In 2007, the dish was simple but delicious, and a few celebrants shared that it was comforting. The meal consisted of plantain chips, a slice of Nicaraguan cheese, and a cabbage and tomato salad. In between the food items, children were given coloring books and crayons, and noisemakers were passed around to those sitting in the middle of the hall. The noisemakers, called matracas, are handmade and imported from Masaya, Nicaragua. Many adults smiled when they saw them seemingly enjoying memories associated with them. As the music wore down, the last gift was distributed: a La Purisima car plate. The plate had the shouting and the image of Mary. José Arrechevala hoped that they would help other Nicaraguans remember their heritage and attend the event next year. Many of the celebrants, as well as the organizers, wore La Purisima gifts from previous years. These included t-shirts and Elizabeth Gutierrez proudly modeled the Purisima cooking apron. The organizers explain that they want to keep the traditional items as much as possible but also make it different each year to encourage people to keep coming. Juan Gutierrez explains that the noise at the end of the celebration remains significant. He is regretful that the fireworks are not allowed and would disturb the neighborhood. As a substitution, blue and white balloons are inflated and then strung along the walls. People bring pins to pop them when given the sign. In unison, they reached up to create the noise. A position near the balloons is as coveted as a chair. Martha Narvaez describes the significance of the popping of the balloons, "The pops are wonderful. You remember the fireworks from when you were a child. It sounds wonderful. You see in the faces the happiness from their memories." Some stories of La Purisima describe the fireworks and say that unaware tourists would think a war had started for the noise is so loud. The Nicaraguan immigrants would rather have firecrackers but know that it would be a liability to the Church and put people at unnecessary risk. Next - Nicaraguan Immigrants in Southeast Louisiana Denese Neu has a doctorate in Urban Studies from the University of New Orleans. She runs a consulting practice specializing in heritage, health, and sustainability issues; conducts independent research; and is an adjunct professor now residing in Chicago. Documenting La Purisima and the Nicaraguan population brought her home and expanded her appreciation of the people who make Southeast Louisiana such a unique place. She did this research as part of the New Populations Project. |
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