LAS POSADAS

"Las Posadas" owe their origin to Fray Diego de Soria, O.S.A. who introduced the devotion at the church of Acolman, Estado de México in 1587 with the approval of Pope Sixtus V. The intent of the zealous Augustinian missionary was to counteract the Aztec celebrations in honor of Huitzilopochtli, the god of war, which took place at this time of the year and which still held a strong attraction for the Christian neophytes.

In time "Las Posadas" became so popular that they spread not only throughout the churches of México and neighboring countries, but also came to be celebrated by the people in their homes.

In these secular celebrations, groups of "peregrinos" go from house to house headed by "un angel" who leads the "burrito", the little donkey bearing Mary. Joseph patiently follows with the few possessions of the Holy Family in a knapsack. After singing the litany, the hymns of petition and the hymns of welcome, the owners of the particular house, honored that evening as hosts, fling open their doors, invite "los peregrinos" to enter, and offer them the traditional "champurrado", "tamales" and "buñuelos".

"La Piñata" is a game that follows the evening's "La Posada". Adults and children gather in the courtyard, the children to participate, the adults to watch the fun. Boys and girls form a circle. In the center hangs a clay jar or gaily decorated bag filled with fruit and candy.

One child after another is blindfolded, turned round and around, and then given a stick about the size of a broom handle. Each contestant has three chances to break "la piñata", but he or she can swing only after a little ditty has been sung; otherwise someone might be clouted on the head. At the word the contestant takes a mighty wallop where he or she thinks "la piñata" hangs. Needless to say, all the watchers must be alert to avoid the stick. At times "La piñata" is controlled from a balcony, being tantalizingly raised or lowered near the batter. When "Ia piñata" is broken, there follows a mad scramble for the sweets.