FOOD INDUSTRY How do Hispanics celebrate Christmas? Por Iván Aranaga ecember is a month of joy and festivities tied to the birth of Jesus celebrated around the world. But VENEZUELA how do Hispanic people celebrate Christmas? Each Dregion has its own unique traditions and special AGUINALDOS, GAITAS AND PARRANDAS celebrations, inviting people to enjoy and share. Let’s explore NAVIDEÑAS some of the most notable customs in certain countries. Venezuelans celebrate Christmas with various musical expressions and joyful dances. Among them are aguinaldos, songs accompanied MEXICO by the cuatro (a stringed instrument) that reference praise or humorous anecdotes. PIÑATAS Gaitas are another popular form of cele- Mexicans use 昀椀gures covered in crepe paper bration that spread joy. 吀栀ey are played and 昀椀lled with candy, toys, or fruit to to the rhythm of drums, furruco, and celebrate birthdays and Christmas. charrasca. Parrandas involve groups of 吀栀e classic Christmas piñata shape people who go from house to house at night, is a star with seven points, each surprising their neighbors with a pleasant symbolizing a deadly sin. According to moment of music featuring maracas, furro, and tradition, the only way to destroy them tambora. is blindfolded, as it's believed that you don't need sight to have faith. TYPICAL FOOD 吀栀e most emblematic traditional dish of this season is POSADAS hallaca, a dough made from corn 昀氀our, enhanced with a 吀栀e reenactment of Mary and Joseph's delicious chicken broth and annatto. Although it resembles search for lodging on the night Jesus was born is tamales, it's a di昀昀erent dish. It's 昀椀lled with a stew of beef, another important traditional custom. Celebrated between pork, or chicken, and wrapped in banana leaves. December 16th and 24th, people go from house to house asking for shelter. During the procession, they sing carols and light their way with candles. It ends at the house that o昀昀ers them shelter, where they are welcomed with a variety of foods and drinks: tamales, buñuelos, homemade fruit punch, hot chocolate, and co昀昀ee. 5454 NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR/ D/ DECECEEMMBBEER 2R 200224 4 AABBAASSTOTO..CCOOMM