Origins of Los Posadas
Many cultures utilize Christmas to celebrate the birth of Christ in the Christian religion. Mexico is no exception. However, unlike many other cultures that celebrate just the birth of Christ on December 25th, many in Mexican cultures, celebrate the weeks leading up to Christmas day, honoring the journey taken by Mary and Joseph. The Tradition is believed to have evolved from events celebrated in Spain (1. Brandes, 1983), but Los Posadas as it’s known today began in the Small Mexican town of San Agustin Acolman (2. Ybarra, 2012). The celebrated started as a remembrance during mass. For nine days leading up to Christmas Eve, people would gather at the mass of Aguinaldo to sing, pray, and pay tribute to the pilgrimage taken by Mary and Joseph to find refuge. It wasn’t long before Los Posadas spread outside of the Church and became a family celebration. Still very focused on religious themes, Los Posadas, similar to Christmas, is celebrated both at mass and at home with songs, pilgrimages, food and more. The word “Posadas” is used similar to the word “lodging,” and in some regions Los Posadas is also called “the journey” (1. Brandes, 1983). The tradition of Los Posadas slowly spread throughout Mexico and is still celebrated today.
Traditions of Los Posadas
We can classify Los Posadas as a tradition, as tradition is repeated lore, creates a sense of identity, and is identified as ritual by community (3. Sims & Stephens, 2011). Each region has slight variations to the celebration of Los Posadas, however, there are some characteristics shared throughout. The celebrations starting on December 16th, usually begin in the home with the gathering of the family and reciting of the Rosary (4. Tercero, 1931).After, the family “journeys” through the home while singing songs retelling the accounts of how Mary and Joseph were turned away from Inns and homes while looking for a place to stay. Two people (usually children) are often dressed up as Mary and Joseph for this re-enactment (4. Tercero, 1931).
In other variations of this celebration, towns gather at the Church where prayers and songs are sung together as a community. The reenacting of the pilgrimage is down as a town where people go from door to door asking for refuge but are turned away. Even in this variation of the holiday, there are usually two children selected to play the role of Mary and Joseph and the people will follow them through the town signing (1. Brandes, 1983). The last house visited is the host where the pilgrims are welcomed, and the baby Jesus is lulled to sleep (2. Ybaraa, 2012) When done in smaller communities, like in neighborhoods, this family will usually be the hosts of a tamale meal for a separate holiday (2. Ybaraa, 2012).
These songs, prayers, and pilgrimages mark the end of the religious (sacred) part of Los Posadas. Next, is the more celebratory part of the holiday (2. Ybaraa, 2012). Again, this varies by region however, many of customs have been ritually celebrated for centuries. When celebrated as a family, the events usually transpire on the patio or backyard. Decorated lanterns or candles are lite, and pinatas are filled and hung for the children (4. Tercero, 1931). When celebrated in communities’ similar activities take place but on a much larger scale. Women walk through the crowds with baskets full of candy and dried fruit where the scoop them out to children in the crowds. Many people walk with candles and families decorate the town with lanterns (1. Brandes, 1983). Bright colorful piñatas are hung and shared among the children in the town. All of this is leading up to the finale night of Los Posadas, December 24th when prayers, parties and feasting take place!
Significance of Los Posadas
Rituals are outward expressions on inward values (5. Sims & Stephens, 2011). Los posadas in no different. It is an outward expressions of faith and heritage. Los Posadas is a sacred ritual high-context ritual that involves all three kinds of folklore: verbal, material, and customary. Particular stories and songs are used, passages of scripture, all of which would be considered verbal folklore. Costumes, manger constructions, and other forms of elaborate decorations would all be considered material folklore while the dances, parities, and foods would all be customary. These are all equally important in the celebration of Los Posadas. Through these acts, individuals are able to pay respects to the virgin Mary and celebrate the birth of the Christian Christ Jesus. Simultaneously, communities are brought together, and Mexican culture is celebrated. Traditions of Los Posadas transcend the Mexican border and are celebrated in Mexican American communities as well. These traditions might look slightly different but are no less important to keeping the traditions of Mexican culture a present and significant part of life.