Las Posadas

Las posadas are a Mexican tradition that start on December 16, and last until December 24. These nine days commemorate the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. The posadas are popular in every town of Mexico. In order to celebrate the posadas, the local church assigns a specific day to each barrio, in the town, so they can host the posada for the rest of the community. Then the people of the designated barrio get together and decide who is going to make or cooperate for the the pinatas, the goody bags,the traditional ponche (hot punch), and nowadays the DJ. Once everything has been decided, and organized the celebration begins.

The posada usually starts at 7 or 8 p.m. The people from the barrio and the rest of the town gathers up at an specific location to start the procession. Candles and artificial lights are passed out to the people. Also two kids from the neighborhood dress up as Joseph and Mary; and sometimes even a small donkey is brought in to the posada in order to carry Mary. Once every one has gather up, the people start singing villancicos (Christmas carols) from door to door. Until they get to the house where they are going to be able to "stay" for the night. Once they are allowed to enter the party begins.

First, the goody bags are distributed to the kids, and the hot punch to the adults. Sometimes the "hosts" make tamales or pozole in order to give out the the people. After everybody is done eating and drinking; its pinata time! The kids then, get a turn to hit the pinata until it brakes. After that is done the dance begins. The new trend for posadas is to include a DJ for the celebration. The posada ends with the DJ, and depending on the barrio's budget the DJ can play up to 2 or 3 a.m.