In Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, the festive season spans nine days, culminating in Noche Buena (Christmas Eve). This cherished tradition, with roots extending over three centuries, traces back to Catholic priest Fray Fernando Larrea. In response to a request from Clemencia de Jesus Caycedo, founder of La Enseñanza teaching school in Santa Fé de Bogotá, Fray Fernando penned a litany of prayers known as the Novena de Aguinaldos.
Since their initial publication in 1743, these Novenas have become an integral part of Christmas celebrations in households throughout the region. The nightly recitations are complemented by children’s games and the joyous singing of villancicos. Villancicos, traditional Christmas carols with Spanish and indigenous influences, weave through the air, creating a musical tapestry that adds to the festive atmosphere.
These lively tunes, often performed with traditional instruments such as maracas and tamborcitos (small drums) contribute to a sense of family and celebration with friends during the Novenas.
As families gather during the evenings, they indulge in a rich array of seasonal delicacies, each dish holding special significance. Buñuelos, deep-fried dough balls often filled with cheese, are a popular treat enjoyed for their crispy exterior and soft, savory center. Tamales, steamed bundles of ground maize filled with meat, are painstakingly prepared, symbolizing the care and love invested in the festive season. Lechona, a succulent roasted pig, takes center stage at many celebrations, epitomizing abundance and prosperity.
No Colombian Christmas celebration is complete without Natilla, a luscious coconut and cinnamon dessert. This sweet delicacy, alongside other traditional foods, graces the dinner table on Christmas Eve, adding a delightful conclusion to the Novenas. The meticulous preparation of these dishes is a labor of love, bringing families and communities together to share in the joy of the season.
In towns and cities across Colombia, decked with colorful lights, priests lead novenas in churches and public spaces, where locals enthusiastically assume the roles of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. The Novena de Aguinaldos booklet guides the faithful through couplets recited each night, along with prayers specific to each evening. The “Oración para todos los días” (Every Day Prayer) precedes heartfelt supplications to the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, and the infant Jesus.
Embracing the rich tapestry of Latin American Christmas traditions, these celebrations foster a sense of unity and joy, connecting communities through shared prayers, musical enchantment, and the delectable flavors of seasonal treats.
