One of the most compelling and delightful benefits of buying real estate and retiring in Nicaragua is the opportunity to expose yourself and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage the country has to offer. The month of December, in particular, offers a compelling insight into this wonderfully rich cultural heritage.
‘La Purisima’ is celebrated mainly in December and is probably the most widespread celebration in the country. The festivities begin on November 28 when the image of the Virgin is removed from the church to go through the different neighborhoods of the town.
From November 29 to December 13, the Virgin is transported to different neighborhoods on the shoulders or in the back of trucks. The procession is accompanied by chants, decorations, the ubiquitous Nicaraguan marching band, and bountiful bombs (firecrackers). During this period, families decorate altars in their homes and neighborhoods decorate parades of floats in honor of various themes related to the Virgin Mary.
During the Purisma period, a mass is celebrated in the church every morning. These masses are the starting point for the day’s procession to a specific neighborhood. A rosary is read in the neighborhood in the early evening, after which chichi (a traditional drink made from corn) and sweets are distributed to the people. A few hours later the procession of the Virgin returns to the Church.
La Griteria is celebrated during La Purisma on December 7. December 7 is the day before Virgin Mary Day. La Griteria means “the cry”. A loud, joyful and sometimes boisterous “clamor” of the Virgin is heard throughout the town at all hours of the day.
“What causes such joy?” it is sung by the people who walk from house to house in their neighborhoods. People inside their houses shout “La Concepción de María” in response.
Although it originated in León, La Griteria spread to Masaya, Managua, and Granada and eventually spread to every town and village in Nicaragua.
If you’re drawn to the sun and the beach, but also enriched by exploring new cultures, a retirement in Nicaragua might appeal to you. For more information on retiring in Nicaragua, click Nicaragua Real Estate.