Punch, piñatas, treats, sparklers, colorful candles and Mexican snacks are essential items in hostel currently.
Below, we tell you when this year begins, what it means and what needs to be said.
According to tradition, the inn It begins on Tuesday, December 16 and ends on Christmas Evealso known as Christmas Eve (December 24).
While some Mexican families typically celebrate the last posada with their neighbors or communities, others usually include it as part of the activities before Christmas dinner.
Like other Mexican traditions, the posada has its origins in pre-Hispanic cultures, specifically the Aztecs, who celebrated the arrival of the god Huitzilopochtli in December.
“This celebration began on December 6 and lasted for 20 days, and included the placing of flags on fruit trees and banners at the main temple,” an article published by the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas said.
After the conquest of the Spanish, this celebration underwent modifications based on the Catholic religion and since then many modifications have been made.
after Independence of Mexicothe habit of attending “bonus audiences” has been greatly reduced, and has almost disappeared. But thanks to the believers, the tradition was resumed, adapted to the local environment and the trend emerged hostel.
Although they are celebrated in different ways depending on the region of the country, most include traditional songs and foods.
During these celebrations, people of all ages come together to “Ask for a hostel“And celebrating the gesture of hospitality of opening the doors of one’s home.
According to an interview conducted by Father José de Jesús Aguilar Valdés on the program “Sale el Sol”, the traditional posada consists of taking a short walk with lights and images of pilgrims (Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus) while chanting litanies and prayers for the Holy Family (according to the Catholic religion).
Below we share the complete collection of hostel request with dialogues of pilgrims and hostel owners:
- Exterior: In the name of heaven, I ask you for shelter because my beloved wife cannot walk.
- inside: It’s not an inn here, go on, I shouldn’t open it, don’t be a scoundrel.
- Exterior: Don’t be inhuman, show us charity, the God of Heaven will reward you.
- inside: You can leave now and don’t bother because if I get angry I will hit you.
- Exterior: We came exhausted from Nazareth. I am a carpenter named Jose.
- inside: I don’t care about the name, let me sleep because I tell you we won’t discuss it.
- Exterior: Posada asks you, beloved owner, for just one night, Queen of Heaven.
- inside: Well, if it was the Queen who asked for it, how could she walk alone at night?
- Exterior: My wife is Mary, she is the Queen of Heaven, and she will be the Mother of the Divine Word.
- inside: Are you Youssef? Is your wife Maryam? Enter, O pilgrims, I do not know you.
- Exterior: May God reward you, gentlemen, and may you be happy in heaven.
- inside:Blessed is the house in which this day is the pure and beautiful Virgin Mary!
- The doors open and everyone sings: Enter, ye holy pilgrims, receive this corner which, though the dwelling is poor, I give to you from my heart.