by the El Reportero’s staff and news services
La Gritería is the largest religious manifestation in Nicaragua. This holiday, in honor of the Most Pure and Immaculate Conception of Mary is celebrated on the night of Dec. 7, the eve of the Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The city of León has the honor of being considered the cradle of this intangible cultural heritage that has transcended the country’s borders.
The event begins when all the Catholic churches ring the bells at 6 in the afternoon so that they can come out and sing to La Purísima. The event ends at 12 midnight at the signal of the bells.
The festival originated in the city of León in the 19th century and has since become a popular tradition throughout Nicaragua. During La Gritería people go from house to house singing and shouting “Who causes so much joy?” and the answer is “The Conception of Mary!”
In exchange, the owners offer small gifts or treats, such as candy or fruit, to the participants. The festival is a vibrant and joyful celebration of faith and community, as well as a way to honor the Virgin Mary in Nicaraguan culture.
Basically it is done like this: people gather in groups, stop in front of an altar, sing traditional songs (the same ones as in ‘La Purísima’), the owners of the houses give away fruits, sweets, toys, instruments to make noise, drinks natural, and other types of gifts; Finally, they move on to another altar. Homeowners who have set up altars wait until another group comes to sing.
‘La Gritería’ lasts until the owners of the houses have no more gifts to give or until the streets have no more singers, but until after the church bells ring at 12 midnight.
The purest
Meanwhile, the festivity continues on December 8 with the celebration of the Purísima, which includes praying the rosary for nine days, accompanied by traditional religious songs among family and friends.
In Nicaragua, Claudia Ashby, from Managua, is in a hurry, with time short for the last couple a couple of weeks, shopping and preparing everything for the event that she celebrates every year at her house, and she wants feel proud that those who attend leave with the best impression of her Purísima.
Imagine ‘La Purísima’ like this: somewhere in a family home there is a richly decorated altar, with a statue of the image of the Virgin Mary. In front of this altar, a series of chairs are arranged that will be occupied by family, friends and neighbors invited by the owners of the house to celebrate her Purísima.
All attendees accompany with whistles, rattles, tambourines and other instruments.
