Once the Halloween decorations and the Jack ‘o Lanterns are put away (which in my house is at about 8:30pm on October 31st) it's time to bring out "Holiday" decorations. I try not to overwhelm my family so I start with subtle autumn colors, candles, and Thanksgiving decorations before I bring out the heavy artillery. By that, of course, I mean the Christmas decorations.
It's always been my favorite time of year. I'm not entirely sure why but I would suppose happy childhood memories of snow angels, Christmas caroling, roast turkeys, and warm fires. But I was luckier than most. That was my American Christmas. My Puerto Rican Christmas was something else entirely.
On several occasions our family had the good fortune to be able to celebrate the holiday with our extended family on the island. Because my mother was one of 11 and my father one of 5, I don't think I can actually count all my first cousins. Most of them lived on the island. Suffice it to say, the gathering closely resembled that of the engagement party on My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Only instead of roasting a lamb in the front yard, we had a whole pig on a spit - Lechón Asado. And I'm here to tell you, it was the BEST food I've ever eaten in my life. I'll never be able to replicate it although I desperately try to each year.
Christmas carols in Puerto Rico, known as parrandas, are as much a part of Christmas as the birth of the Christ Child. Celebrations begin in early December and continue on through Dia de Reyes (Three Kings Day), or Epiphany on January 6th. This holiday in Puerto Rico was actually the biggest and most celebrated by the children. The symbolization of the gifts brought to Baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men closely resembles the celebration we have in American culture on December 25th. But instead of St. Nicholas bringing the gifts, they were brought by Los Reyes Magos, or the Three Magi.
The parranda or trulla navideña is a celebration unlike any other. The pig would start to roast early in the morning and there would be a minimum of 3 to 4 elder men in my family rotating to take turns. I distinctly remember my Abuelo (or grandfather) delegating to his oldest 3 sons when he got tired and wanted a little "bebido" or "drinkie-poo"! Ah yes, make no mistake, there was plenty of that going on all day and night, too. But there was also no driving going on unless you consider a ride on your uncles shoulders a drive.
Our parrandas were celebrated "en el campo" or in the country. My aunt's hometown in Caguas was a favorite site. We would start the singing with various instruments including guitarras, maracas, guiros (my favorite instrument), and tamboriles sometime in the early evening at the bottom of the mountain. We would gather a few of us (we were always the starters of the parranda!) and gather quietly in front of the first house and start signing loudly together. The hosts would open the door and listen to our song and once finished, they would invite us in for food and drinks. We would gather, sing, and of course, dance. There was always LOTS of dancing. We gathered everyone from the first house and continued onto the next. And so on and so on until we had worked our way back up the mountain to my aunt's.
Exhausted, most of the children may have ended up staying behind at a family member's house (most of the country folk or jibaros were family anyway). At the end of the trek, was the grandest party of all. I was 16 before I was old enough to stay awake for the entire parranda. The roosters were crowing and I was dizzy from the laughter and excitement. It was one of the most precious memories I have of the true spirit of Christmas.
While I've come to accept Christmases here in the states are a bit more subdued, there's still a hint of sadness. In an effort to keep the spirit and memories alive, l crank up the music and try my best to remind my children of what Christmas is all about for my people. While I'm proud to be American, I'm equally proud of my heritage and of the wonderful traditions our people have. I pray you have a blessed holiday and can relive your family's traditions...whatever ethnicity or religion!
Bendición Mami y Papi, Abuela y Abuelo, Tio Juan Felix y Titi Virginia, Tio Tony y Titi Rosa, Tio Jorge y Titi Nacha, Tio Rico y Titi Lolyn, Tio Quique y mi familia entera!
12 Comments on Christmas Memories - Navidades Puertorriqueñas
Wow, you really went all out! We put up our decorations the day after Thanksgiving. We drove to church last night and we saw a house with lights, snowman, etc...so they are starting earlier and earlier
Irene, You are fortunate to have so many fond memories and especially of your Puerto Rican heritage. Many times we lose sight of the fact all of us didn't land here on the Mayflower, Karen
At least you wait until after Halloween. I went to our mall two weeks BEFORE Halloween and the decorations were up! Is your hero Chevy Chase from A Christmas Vacation?
Sounds cool. I like decorating for the holidays. My wife likes it too, but I think she likes it more when I stay out of the way. I tend to be very "linear" according to her.
Kevin - It's not about the decorations for me...it's about the family, the music, the food, the dancing, the laughing and the overall happiness that the holiday brought with it. It wasn't and still isn't about the stuff, it is about the family.
Thanks for sharing ... I lived in Spain for several years and participated in Three Kings Day ... much different than Christmas in the US ... more traditioanl with a parade and all the children in the town coming together to be a part of the celebration.
Allen - Wow, you've lived everywhere, haven't you? I think more traditional holidays celebrate this way with children, families, music and dancing. The American Christmas has gotten so superficial and robotic that it's almost a chore. When my brother comes to visit with his 4 kids, we turn up the music and all the cousins are up and dancing. It's not like anything we see today in the states. Kids are planted in front of their X-Box or plugged into their iPod. There's a social disconnect that is alarming to me. I hope and pray the holidays here go full circle to the "good old days".
Ed! People are always surprised. I've gotten a kick out of it my whole life! By the way, are you going to the Great in 2008 seminar in Falls Church? I just confirmed today. I don't want to miss a chance to hear Dave Liniger in person! Want to carpool with me?
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Our parrandas were celebrated "en el campo" or in the country. My aunt's hometown in Caguas was a favorite site. We would start the singing with various instruments including guitarras, maracas, guiros (my favorite instrument), and tamboriles sometime in the early evening at the bottom of the mountain. We would gather a few of us (we were always the starters of the parranda!) and gather quietly in front of the first house and start signing loudly together. The hosts would open the door and listen to our song and once finished, they would invite us in for food and drinks. We would gather, sing, and of course, dance. There was always LOTS of dancing. We gathered everyone from the first house and continued onto the next. And so on and so on until we had worked our way back up the mountain to my aunt's. 
Wow, you really went all out! We put up our decorations the day after Thanksgiving. We drove to church last night and we saw a house with lights, snowman, etc...so they are starting earlier and earlier