Puerto Rican Girl
... them to other locations, like San Juan. The members of the Yoruba tribe were brought to Puerto Rico with some interesting religious backgrounds. They were Santeros but were not allowed to practice this religion in the Catholic country they came to, so they hid their religious practices under the guise of Catholicism. They used rosaries, statues, and other blessed items, but really they were part of their own religious practice. These tribespeople were very clever in subverting their religion to an acceptable one so that they could still have their faith. To Puerto Rican’s, Christmas, is both a joyous, secular celebration and also a highly spiritual experience. Puerto Ricans love music, especially, happy energetic tunes. The United States citizens would not recognize caroling Puerto Rican style. It is much more buoyant and does not necessarily confine itself to Christmas tunes. When my family sings at the Christmas holidays, any song that has a salsa beat is fair game for strumming, singing and dancing. However, when Christmas Eve arrives, everyone dresses up an heads for midnight mass (which is really at midnight in Puerto Rico, not 10 p.m. like it is in the states). Church is followed by a quiet day of cooking with family and everyone stays home together. It is a joyous day with old traditions of the elders telling stories and the children playing with toys and the family playing games together. Another occasion for song and food related to celebration is when females reach their 15th year. This is a time for coming of age which involves a ceremony usually associated with the Catholic church and a special mass. The girls wear fancy dresses and the focus is on eating, feasting, music and celebration with family and friends.This tradition is centuries old and is called quinceaneros. It celebrates that transition period between adolescence and womanhood. Many Mexicans celebrate this as well, but I think of it as a Puerto Rican event. While it is hard to say which tradition of Puerto Rico I like the best, I think the New Years ones are the most fun and meaningful to me. It is believed that if you eat 12 grapes , one for each bell rung at midnight on December 31, you will have good luck. You have to eat them all before the chimes or bell stop ringing. The other fun tradition, which my grandma still does is to throw out a bucket of water to scare away bad luck. She would do this anytime, not just at New Years. Grandmas is a Catholic, but she still holds some old traditions that might be considered superstitious. The property my family owns is 50 acres in the jungle but is also farmland.. The Velez crops are fruit and coffee beans. The government contracts with my grandma for hybrid plants that they design. My family has a really good work ethic, loves to eat and dance and really enjoys family gatherings. When we had our family reunion in 2003 in Puerto Rico, we celebrated together for 3 days s...