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Where does the tradition of posadas come from?
By Kiwilimón - 2023-07-10T18:06:34Z
Every year we eagerly await the posadas, but do we really know why we celebrate them? This is the story of the origin of the posadas.
Like the vast majority of Mexican traditions, the history of posadas dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Before the Spanish Conquest, the indigenous people celebrated festivities in December in honor of their god Huitzilopochtli. The festivities, which lasted several weeks, concluded with simultaneous gatherings at homes where food was served to the guests.
Coincidentally, these festivities coincided with the Catholic celebrations of the Spanish, who took advantage of them to evangelize the indigenous peoples. After several years of the Conquest, in 1587, Fray Diego de Soria obtained permission from the pope to start celebrating the aguinaldo masses. With this, the priest aimed to replace the festivities in honor of Huitzilopochtli so that the indigenous people would begin to celebrate Christmas.
The aguinaldo masses were held from December 16 to 24 and were a mix of masses with representations of biblical passages. The intention was to evangelize the indigenous and show them all that Mary and Joseph had to endure before the birth of Jesus.
Initially, the masses were organized within the church. Taking advantage of the spaciousness of the temple, the Augustinians – who were the first to organize them – celebrated the first aguinaldo masses within the convent of Acolman. Both Spaniards and Creoles, as well as indigenous people, attended these events where gifts and food were distributed at the end of the religious rite.
Over the years, more elements were incorporated into the festivities (piñatas, songs, candles, sweets) and they gained greater popularity. People began to celebrate what was originally known as aguinaldo masses in their homes and neighborhoods, until it became what we now know as posadas.
The meaning of posadas may have changed, but there is no doubt that they remain one of the most anticipated celebrations in Mexico. Have you organized your posada yet?
These recipes are perfect for a posada:
Sources:
Like the vast majority of Mexican traditions, the history of posadas dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Before the Spanish Conquest, the indigenous people celebrated festivities in December in honor of their god Huitzilopochtli. The festivities, which lasted several weeks, concluded with simultaneous gatherings at homes where food was served to the guests.
Coincidentally, these festivities coincided with the Catholic celebrations of the Spanish, who took advantage of them to evangelize the indigenous peoples. After several years of the Conquest, in 1587, Fray Diego de Soria obtained permission from the pope to start celebrating the aguinaldo masses. With this, the priest aimed to replace the festivities in honor of Huitzilopochtli so that the indigenous people would begin to celebrate Christmas.
The aguinaldo masses were held from December 16 to 24 and were a mix of masses with representations of biblical passages. The intention was to evangelize the indigenous and show them all that Mary and Joseph had to endure before the birth of Jesus.
Initially, the masses were organized within the church. Taking advantage of the spaciousness of the temple, the Augustinians – who were the first to organize them – celebrated the first aguinaldo masses within the convent of Acolman. Both Spaniards and Creoles, as well as indigenous people, attended these events where gifts and food were distributed at the end of the religious rite.
Over the years, more elements were incorporated into the festivities (piñatas, songs, candles, sweets) and they gained greater popularity. People began to celebrate what was originally known as aguinaldo masses in their homes and neighborhoods, until it became what we now know as posadas.
The meaning of posadas may have changed, but there is no doubt that they remain one of the most anticipated celebrations in Mexico. Have you organized your posada yet?
These recipes are perfect for a posada:
Sources:
- http://www.milenio.com/opinion/dr-sergio-antonio-corona-paez/cronica-de-torreon/origen-de-las-posadas-navidenas
- https://www.ngenespanol.com/travel/origen-de-las-posadas-en-mexico/
