|
|
|
|
|
The Hispanic Population of Rural Central Louisiana and Their Traditions By William F. Manger Agricultural Sector
Religious Traditions Los Posadas ("The Inns") is a nine-day celebration that extends from December 16th to December 24th and reenacts the holy family's search for shelter in Bethlehem prior to the birth of Jesus. In the past, Angel Negron noted that members of the Hispanic community of Leesville would visit the homes of friends and eat traditional foods. As a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the deployment of troops, some of which are Hispanic, to those conflicts, however, this tradition has since been curtailed. Other religious traditions focus on rites of passage such as baptism, the presentation of children to church (presentación de los niños), first communion, and quinceañeras. When children turn three they are sometimes presented to the church because that was the age when the Virgin Mary was presented to the temple for the first time. Some informants mentioned that the ceremony marked the passage of a baby to that of a child. In addition, Father Pedro said that parents will bring children anywhere from a few months to 5 years of age to take part in the ceremony. In return for the blessing parents will present the priest with wine, bread, fruit, or other items that the church can use. The particular ceremony differs from place to place in Mexico, but based on conversations with a number of migrants, Father Pedro believes that the tradition is mainly practiced in Louisiana by workers from the state of Guanajuato. Following the blessing, a party with food and music, is provided for the celebrants. See photos of this tradition as practiced by the Mexican community in Bernice. LINK COMING SOON! The quinceañera celebrates a girl's fifteenth birthday and her transition to adulthood. Father Pedro described it as being "like a wedding." A mass is said for the quinceañeras and afterwards a party is held for the birthday girl. Mariachi bands from Houston are hired to play at the festivities and can be quite expensive for families. Because families have few free days available, because of their work schedule, many baptisms, communions, and quinceañeras are scheduled for the holidays. According to father Pedro, families will often postpone celebrations until July 4th, December 25th, and January 1st, when workers usually get more than one day off from work. See photos of this tradition as practiced by the Mexican community in Bernice. LINK COMING SOON! In Leesville and Alexandria, where a more diverse Hispanic community resides, other religious traditions are also observed. Esbelta Colls, the assistant archivist for the Archdiocese of Alexandria, who is originally from the town of Estelí, Nicaragua, noted the importance of the feast day of La Virgen de la Purisma Concepción (Virgin of the Immaculate Conception) on December 8th for local Nicaraguans. She described the ceremony as being most similar to the American holiday of Halloween. In Nicaragua, she said, people go from house to house to pray and sing for the Virgin Mary. In return, hosts give each visitor candy and fruit. Because she knows of only ten Nicaraguans presently living in the Alexandria area, it has been difficult to maintain the tradition. The Mexican population, on the other hand, she noted, is better able to hold on to their traditions due to their larger numbers. Father Imamshah of St. John the Baptist Church in Cloutierville, said that he used to celebrate a mass for the Immaculate Conception in an effort to keep the small Nicaraguan community of Alexandria together. At the end of the mass for the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, celebrants sang a hymn called "Adios Maria." While singing they waved white handkerchiefs and said, "Adios Maria" (Goodbye Mary). They then yell, "Quien causa tanta alegría?" (Who is the cause of such happiness?). Finally, they shout "Viva Maria" (Long live Mary) three times and the ceremony ends.NEXT: Secular Holidays |
|
|
