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jennifer rose

Dec 14, 2002, 10:05 AM

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Posada in Santa Maria de los Altos

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Mark your calendar! The Parroquia de Santa Maria de los Altos (that's Santa Maria de Guido to everyone else) in Morelia has slated the 18th of December for its posada, beginning at 7 p.m. At the churchyard, of course. And there'll be a kermesse, featuring an excellent array of traditional foods -- tamales, pozole, mole, ponche, and buñuelos. It's an excellent opportunity for folks to participate in and enjoy a tradition with a small-town flavor only minutes from Morelia's city center.

sparks

Dec 14, 2002, 2:37 PM

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Re: [jennifer rose] Meaning of posada in this context

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House. Inn. dwelling is all in the dictionary. I thought it had to do with Xmas but was unable to get the focus of the definition in Mexican context. All I could get was the Inn (posada) turned away Mary and Joseph and they went to the barn (manger) instead.

Brad.

Dec 14, 2002, 3:23 PM

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Re: [sparks] Meaning of posada in this context

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From here:http://www.culturafronteriza.com/pastorelas.htm

La posada representa el peregrinar de José y Maria al salir de Nazaret para cumplir con el edicto en donde se ordenaba a los habitantes de Judea empadronarse en sus ciudades de origen. Como José era nativo de Belén, él y María tuvieron que viajar hacia esa ciudad por 9 días, durante los cuales no les fue fácil encontrar alojamiento y María, que estaba embarazada, tuvo que dar a luz en un establo.

Estas tradiciones siguen vivas en el corazón de los mexicanos y en muchas ciudades, pueblos y rancherías de todo México siguen escenificándose. Inician el 16 de diciembre y concluyen el 24 de diciembre. En muchas poblaciones, presentan la pastorela como preámbulo a la posada. En algunas de ellas las posadas se celebran en las calles las cuales previamente se adornan con hilos de heno y faroles. La procesión es encabezada por las imágenes de los peregrinos (José y María) llevados sobre una tabla, aunque en algunos lugares prefieren sustituir estas imágenes de barro por personas de la misma población que los represente. La gente acompaña a los peregrinos con velas o faroles encendidos cantando letanías, hasta llegar a la puerta donde se pide la posada. Las personas que están dentro de la casa y los que están afuera cantan los versos con los que piden posada. Este pedimento es rechazado dos o tres veces, obligando a los peregrinos a llamar a otras puertas, hasta que finalmente en una de ellas, les es concedido el alojamiento. Al terminar los cánticos se abre la puerta, se encienden las luces y comienza la fiesta la cual consiste en romper piñatas, comer fruta como: jícamas, tejocotes o caña y tomar ponche al que a veces le ponen su ¨piquetito¨ de Brandy o de Ron.

Esta es una tradición que llena de colorido la navidad y los mexicanos que hemos tenido la fortuna de participar en esta celebración, sentimos un gran orgullo por su permanencia a través de los siglos.

sparks

Dec 14, 2002, 3:40 PM

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Re: [Brad Smith] Meaning of posada in this context

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So it's something like ... looking for a place to stay ... and the whole process of going through the neighborhood in search of

Hmmm .. sounds like you'd have to experience it to get it

esperanza

Dec 14, 2002, 7:22 PM

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Re: [Brad Smith] Meaning of posada in this context

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My favorite experience and most precious memory of las posadas was about 10 years ago, in a tiny town two-thirds of the way up the highest mountain in Michoacán. Each of the 9 nights (el novenario) of the posadas, a different street in town sponsored the traditional 'tableaux vivantes' (for lack of a better phrase) representing Biblical scenes from the creation to the birth of Jesus. For example, the Noah's Ark scene was an actual fishing boat, surrounded by the flood (painted on cardboard). In the boat were a burro, some chickens, a duck, a pair of goats, a young man in Old Testament-style robes, and a young woman similarly dressed. The sacrifice of Isaac was represented by a man bearded and costumed, again in robes, holding a young boy supine in his outstretched arms, a ram tethered at his feet amongst some bushes.

To begin the peregrinación, we proceeded from the church, the parish priest leading the procession, followed by a youth dressed as Joseph pulling a docile burro carrying a young woman dressed as the Virgin Mary. A band played as we walked, we all prayed the rosary and sang Christmas songs...Vamos, vamos, pastores a Belén...los peces en el río...as we wandered through the dark cobbled streets, pausing before each of the briefly lighted tableaux to hear the priest give a short explanation of that part of the Christian mystery leading to the Incarnation of Christ. Toward the end of the street, the procession began the singing of the traditional song begging for shelter for Joseph and Mary as we stopped before predesignated houses. Twice, three times, los santos peregrinos were denied entry. Then, at the last house on the street, the pilgrims sang again, pleading for a place to rest. Denied once, the door suddenly flew open and all were welcomed inside for ponche de fruta, pastel y galletas, atole y buñuelos, and a bag of aguinaldo (peanuts, an orange, a few candies) for every child. The cold of the starry Michoacán night was immeasurably warmed by the tradition and hospitality of our friends and neighbors. Oh, the joy...

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

jennifer rose

Dec 14, 2002, 8:11 PM

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Re: [esperanza] Meaning of posada in this context

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Where I live is a mixed neighborhood, populated by poor people, bureaucrats, politicians, professionals, storekeepers, and something in between. Small gated developments abut very humble dwellings, very private homes marked only by a gate on the street standing alongside tear-downs and vacant buildings. Donkeys, low-riders, and BMWs block the streets all at once. The posada to which I referred is the community one, which always ends up at the church, where the aguinaldos are distributed to the children. Neighbors are asked to contribute a cooperacion, a monetary or in-kind contribution.

Private posadas are yet another matter. Perhaps one of the most memorable ones (and enjoyable, too) I attended last year, where there were no children in attendance -- only the old ladies remembered all the words to the songs.

jennifer rose

Dec 18, 2002, 8:08 PM

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The Essential Player in the Posada

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Tonight’s posada will go down as a memorable one. The usual throng had gathered in the churchyard, waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Finally, the aguinaldos were passed out, signaling that it was time to leave. Up the street walks the neighbor with a vat of pozole, and she joins the rest of the church ladies setting up the food table. The children who were dressed up as angels are chasing one another in the churchyard, the full personalities of those who’re tapped to be angels coming through. Joseph is tripping over his robe.

Only those in costume, their parents, and the Fuerza Viva remain.

Signalling that we might as well start eating, the padre expresses some concern. An essential part of the posada is missing. The burro – who was supposed to show up at 7 p.m. – never appeared, and it’s now 8:30. We can’t have the posada without the burro. Finally, he makes his grand entrance through a side gate. The burro. An hour and a half late, and making no apologies. The posada can now begin.