Text Examples for
Hispanic Heritage

Feliz Navidad
Las Posadas
Celebrated every evening
from December 16 to 24

Feast of Epiphany-Three Kings Day
Celebrated January 6

Cinco de Mayo
May 5

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Asking For A Lodging:
Open these portals,
I pray, for the love of heaven.
Open your heart
For a poor woman waits outside.
Weary from travel,
We seek here a place to rest.
Please give us lodging
For my wife can no longer ride.
[ top ]     
Let the Doors Be Open:
Enter pilgrims,
let the doors be open,
let the doors be open;
There is lodging here within.
You are welcome in this humble dwelling,
let there be rejoicing!
Bless our house and enter in.
[ top ]     
Friends Now Joyfully Gather:
Friends joyfully gather,
kneel now everyone.
Pay devoted homage to the heavenly Son,
to Joseph and Mary,
to the exalted Son.
[ top ]     
The Baby:
Refrain

A la Rururu; come now, to please us
Sleep sweetly dear one, my little Jesus
There'll be no sudden sound for you to jump at
No fly will buzz, no elephant will trumpet;

Refrain

O joyful night, to us is born a baby
By the Virgin Mary, blessed holy lady;

Refrain

The heavenly choirs in accents sweet are singing,
News of this joyful happy birth are bringing:

Refrain
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Adoration:
Come, all ye souls who love them.
Come, see the holy family.
Come, see the little manger.
Kneel now and see them there.
Even the humble donkey,
Bends down his head in wonder.
Lambs with the shepherd worship,
Bow down their heads in pray'r.
[ top ]     
Ave Maria:
Ave Maria Gratia plena
Maria Gratia plena
Maria Gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus
Et benedictus fructus ventris
Ventris tui Jesus
Ave Maria
Ave Maria Mater dei
Ora pro nobis pecatoribus
Ora, ora pro nobis
Ora ora pro nobis pecatoribus
Nunc et in hora mortis
In hora mortis nostrae
In hora mortis, mortis nostrae
In hora mortis nostrae
Ave Maria
[ top ]     
O Come All Ye Faithful:
Venid, fieles todos
A Belen marchemos
Gozozos triunfantes y llenos de amor
Christo ha nacido, Christo el Rey Divino
Venid adoremos, Venid adoremos, venid adoremos
A Nuestro Senor
Venid fieles todos
A Belem veremos
Al Nino Divio, al Nino Jesus
Paz en la tierra, gloria en las alturas
Venid adoremos, venid adoremos, venid adoremos
A Nuestro Senor
[ top ]     
Riu Chiu:
Refrain:

Riu riu chiu, la guarda ribera;
Dios guardo el lobl de nuestra cordera,
Dios guardo el lobo de neustra cordera.
El lobo rabioso la guiso morder,
Mas Dios poderoso la supa defender;
Quisola hazer que no pudises pecar,
Ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera.

Refrain

Este qu'es nacido es el gran monarca,
Christo patriarca de carne vestido;
Hemos redemido con se hazer chiquito,
Aunqu'era infinito, finito se hiziera.

Refrain
[ top ]     
Riu Chiu:
Refrain

River, roaring river, guard our homes in safety,
God has kept the black wolf from our lamb, our Lady.
God has kept the black wolf from our Lamb, our Lady.
Raging mad to bite her, there the wolf did steal,
But our God Almighty defended her with zeal.
Pure He wished to keep Her so She could never sin,
That first sin of man never touched the Virgin sainted.

Refrain

He who's now begotten is our mighty Monarch,
Christ, our Holy Father, in human flesh embodied.
He has brought atonement by being born so humble,
Though He is immortal, as mortal was created.

Refrain
[ top ]     
El Noi De La Mare:
Que li darem a n'el Noi de la Mare?
Que li darem li sapiga bon?
Li darem panses en unes balances,
Li darem figues en un panero.
Li darem panses en unes balances,
Li darem figues en un panero.

Que li darem al Fillet de Maria,
Que li darem a l'hermos Infanto?
Panses i figures i nuez i olives,
Panses i figures i mel i mato.
Panses i figures i nuez olives,
Panses i figures i mel i mato.

Tam patantam, que les figures son verdes,
Tam patantam, que ja maduraran.
Si no maduren el dia de Pasqua,
Maduraran en el dia del Ram.
Si no maduren el dia de Pasqua,
Maduraran en el dia del Ram.
[ top ]     
The Son of Mary:
What shall we give to the Son of the Virgin?
What can we give that the Babe will enjoy?
First, we shall give Him a tray full of raisins,
Then we shall offer sweet figs to the Boy.
First, we shall give Him a tray full of raisins,
Then we shall offer sweet figs to the Boy.

What shall we give the Beloved of Mary?
What can we give to her beautiful Child?
Raisins and olives and nutmeats and honey,
Candy and figs and some cheese that is mild.
Raisins and olives and nutmeats and honey,
Candy and figs and some cheese that is mild.

What shall we do if the figs are not ripened?
What shall we do if the figs are still green?
We shall not fret; if they're not ripe for Easter,
On a Palm Sunday, ripe figs will be seen.
We shall not fret, if they're not ripe for Easter,
On a Palm Sunday, ripe figs will be seen.
[ top ]     
Feliz Navidad:
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad.

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad.

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart.

[repeats]

Actual translation:

Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Prosperous New Year and Happiness.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage:
Do not rejoice at my grief, for when mine is old, yours will be new.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage:
Flattery makes friends and truth makes enemies.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage:
He that is rich will not be called a fool.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage:
He who knows nothing, doubts nothing.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage:
In a calm sea every man is a pilot.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage:
It is better to be born a beggar than a fool.
[ top ]     
Proverb:
It is better to conceal one's knowledge than to reveal one's ignorance.
[ top ]     
Proverb:
Let your heart guide your head in evil matters.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
Life without a friend is death without a witness
[ top ]     
Proverb:
Live with wolves, and you learn to howl.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage:
Love, pain, and money cannot be kept secret; they soon betray themselves.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage:
More grows in the garden than the gardener knows he has sown.
[ top ]     
Proverb:
Stars are not seen by sunshine
[ top ]     
Hispanic Proverb:
Tell me who you live with and I will tell you who you are.
[ top ]     
Proverb:
The man who does not love a horse cannot love a woman.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
The wolf loses his teeth, but not his inclinations.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
Three Spaniards, four opinions.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Proverb:
To deny all, is to confess all.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
To whom you tell your secrets, to him you resign your liberty.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
Truth and oil always come to the surface.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
Visit your aunt, but not every day of the year.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
Water for oxen, wine for kings.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
What belongs to everybody belongs to nobody.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
When fortune knocks upon the door open it widely.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Heritage Proverb:
Where there is love there is pain.
[ top ]     
Hispanic Proverb:
Who knows most speaks least.
[ top ]     
Benito Juarez:
"Respecting other people's rights creates an atmosphere of peace."
[ top ]     
Mexican Battle Cry:
"They shall not pass!"
[ top ]     
Traditional Saying:
"Gold and silver do not matter. All I want is to break the pinata!"
[ top ]     
:
Sing and do not cry,
because with singing
the heart becomes happy.
[ top ]     
Paredes' dedication to With His Pistol in His Hand:
"To the memory of my father, who rode a raid or two with Catarino Garza; and to all those old men who sat around on summer-nights, in the days when there was a chaparral, smoking their cornhusk cigarettes and talking in low, gentle voices about violent things; while I listened."
[ top ]     
Benito Juárez:
"The government of the republic will fulfill its duty to defend its independence, to repel foreign aggression, and accept the struggle to which it has been provoked, counting on the unanimous spirit of the Mexicans and on the fact that sooner or later the cause of rights and justice will triumph."
[ top ]     
Legend:
According to the legend, the Aztecs in search of their promised land, were told by their god Huitzilopochtli, that when they would find the eagle devouring a serperent on a nopal cactus tree, they were to settle down in that place and found Tenochtitlan, what is today Mexico City.
[ top ]     
Mexican Flag:
The colors of the Mexican flag represents:

Green~~Hope, Fertility of the soil
White~~ Purity
Red~~ The blood shed during Independence
[ top ]     
La Cu-ca-ra-cha!:
In the land of se-no-ri-tas,
Sweet Lo-li-tas and Chi-qui-tas.
There they do a dance as neat as
An-y dance at an-y ball.
La Cu-ca-ra-cha!
La Cu-ca-ra-cha!
It's a live-ly Lat-in dance.
La Cu-ca-ra-cha!
La Cu-ca-ra-cha!
It's the rum-ba of ro-mance.
You may have danced to
A thou-sand rum-bas
Old or new, they still re-call
La Cu-ca-ra-cha!
La Cu-ca-ra-cha!
It's the dad-dy of them all.
It's the dad-dy of them all.
It's the dad-dy of them all
[ top ]     
Christmas:
"Presents are not received on Christmas, for Christmas is a celebration of Life of Our Savior."
[ top ]     
Champurrado (Chocolate Atole):
6 cups whole milk
1 cup masa harina--corn flour
2 cups water
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, grated
1 cinnamon stick

Heat the mild and chocolate in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve the
chocolate. When chocolate is completely dissolved, remove from the
heat and set aside to keep warm. Mix the masa harina with the water in
another saucepan; place over low heat, add the cinnamon stick, and
cook until the mixture has thickened and the masa becomes translucent.
Add the chocolate milk and sugar. Stir to dissolve the
sugar and simmer for a few minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and
serve the champurrado hot in cups or mugs.
[ top ]     
Arroz Dulce (Rice Sweet):
3/4 cup rice
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups milk
1 cup rich cream
1/4 tsp. salt

Scald milk. Put the rice into a deep baking dish, cover with the hot milk,
and bake in a moderate oven for 3 hours, or until the rice is
soft. Stir occasionally during first hour to prevent sticking. If
necessary, add more hot milk. When almost done, add vanilla, sugar, and
cream, and finish baking.
[ top ]     
Hot Chocolate:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or equivalent alternative sweetener)
a dash of cinnamon
half a cup of rice or almond milk

Directions:

Mix together dry ingredients with a fork until there are no lumps. Add a
tablespoon or two of rice or almond milk and stir thoroughly to make a
paste. Add the remainder of the rice milk and stir until smooth.
Warm over very low heat for 20 minutes (the longer you heat it, the smoother it gets),
stirring periodically. Top up with boiling water to make 1 cup and stir.

Notes: Be careful if you try to substitute soy milk for the rice or almond milk - some soy milks will curdle. Edensoy Original curdles; Edensoy Extra doesn't.

Serves: 1
Preparation time: 20 min
[ top ]     
Horchata:
This is a Mexican rice water or rice milk. It is a dessert.

1 cup rice, washed
2 quarts water
1 cinnamon stick
Sugar to taste

Mix together all ingredients; let stand 3 hours. Simmer for 1/2 hour.
Puree in a blender and strain through a cloth. Taste for sweetness and add
sugar if necessary. Chill and serve over ice.
[ top ]     
Fruit Punch:
Ingredients:

1 banana
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pineapple juice
1 can lemon-lime soft drink
1/2 litre lemon sherbet

Directions:

Puree a soft, ripe banana in a blender. Add the orange juice and pineapple juice – blend together. Just before serving, add the lemon-lime soft drink and mix well. Put a spoonful of lemon sherbet in each glass and fill with punch.
Serves: Approx 1 gallon.
[ top ]     
Cinco De Mayo:
Bienvenidos!
Viva la Fiesta!
[ top ]     
:
Respecting other people's rights creates an atmosphere of peace.
[ top ]     
Mexican History:
Many people confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Independence Day (September 16, 1810). Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico and many people of Mexican descent celebrate with parades, mariachi music, dancing, and feasting.
[ top ]     
A Mexican battle cry:
They shall not pass!
[ top ]     
Traditional saying:
Gold and silver do not matter. All I want is to break the pinata!
[ top ]     
lyrics from Cileto Lindo:
Sing and do not cry,
because with singing
the heart becomes happy.
[ top ]     
Benito Juárez:
The government of the republic will fulfill its duty to defend its independence, to repel foreign aggression, and accept the struggle to which it has been provoked, counting on the unanimous spirit of the Mexicans and on the fact that sooner or later the cause of rights and justice will triumph."
[ top ]     
Vegetarian Burritos:
Vegetarian Burritos

Serving Size: 4
Preparation Time :0:20

6 Ounces Frozen Corn
6 Ounces Frozen Broccoli
1 small red Pepper -- chopped
15 Ounces Spicy Chili Beans -- undrained
1 teaspoon chili Powder
8 Medium Flour Tortillas
1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese -- shredded

Salsa
Sour Cream
Lettuce
1 Tomato -- chopped
In large skillet, combine vegetables, beans, and chili powder. Boil, reduce heat, simmer 15 minutes. Spoon half cup veggie mixture down center of each tortilla. Top with cheese and any other of the toppings you want. Roll up and eat.
[ top ]     
Blackeyed Pea Enchiladas:
15 Ounces Blackeyed Peas -- drained
2 tablespoons tomato Sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
3 Cloves Garlic
3 tablespoons fresh Cilantro
1 Tablespoon Hot Sauce
1 Can Cream Of Mushroom Soup
1 Can Cream Of Chicken Soup
1/4 Cup Sour Cream
1 Can Black Olives -- chopped
1 Can Green Chiles
6 Green Onions -- chopped
10 Ounces Cheddar Cheese -- grated
12 Flour Tortillas

Spray 8 x 13 casserole with non-stick spray. In food processor, combine
peas tomato sauce, cumin , garlic, cilantro and hot sauce. In another
bowl combine soups, chilies, sour cream, cheese , black olives and
onions. Place 1 heaping teaspoon pea mixture plus 1 tablespoon soup
mixture on each tortilla. Roll up and place in casserole. Cover with
remaining soup mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Serving Size : 10
Preparation Time :0:45
[ top ]     
Quote:
"All things are impossible as long as they seem so."
[ top ]     
Hispanic Version of The Night Before Christmas:
‘Twas the night before Christmas y por toda la casa,
Not a creature was stirring-Caramba! Que pasa?
Los niños were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pijamas,
While hanging the medias with mucho ciudado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos y malos,
A nice batch of dulces y otros regalos.
Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my pies like a frightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think that it era?
Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.
I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Berto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"
Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,
Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his real suit de gala,
He filled all the medias with lovely regalos-
For none of the niños had been very malos.
Then chuckling aloud, seeming muy contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone como viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all, y Feliz Navidad!
[ top ]     
The Legend of the Poinsettia:
It was Christmas Eve in a small town in Mexico. Everyone joined the procession to the church, bearing fine gifts to place at the manger--except for one poor peasant girl. She was crying because she had no gift for Baby Jesus.

Suddenly an angel appeared, saying: "Whatever you give from your heart will make Jesus happy."

So the little girl gathered green weeds from the roadside and carried them to church. As she reached the manger, the crown of each plant turned brilliant red, making a bouquet of beautiful scarlet flowers-poinsettias-for Baby Jesus.

The poinsettia is known in its native country of Mexico as flor de la Nochebuena ("flower of the Holy Night"). Because its upper leaves turn bright red in mid-winter, it has become a traditional Christmas plant.
[ top ]     
Translations to Spanish:
English Translation
Hello Hola
How are you? Qué tal?
Thank you Gracias
Goodbye Adios
Good Morning Buenos días
Welcome Bienvenído
Good / Fine Bien
I love you Te amo
Merry Christmas Feliz Navidad
Party Fiesta
Fairs Ferias
Saints' Days Santos
Holy Night Noche Buena
[ top ]     
Dia de los Reyes or Three Kings Day:
The Epiphany, or Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), is a Catholic celebration that falls on January 6. Three Kings Day celebrates the Biblical story of the Three Kings Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar (or Three Wise Men} who saw the star over Bethlem when Christ was born. They followed it and found the Christ child on January 6th. They brought him gold, frankincense and myrrh.

In Latin America , children receive most of their gifts from the Three Kings every Jan. 6 instead of Christmas day. Since the Three Kings brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, so too did they bring gifts to the good boys and girls. Like Santa Claus, the Three Kings would be the recipients of children's letters and wish lists.

Instead of leaving milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. On the evening of January 5, children leave candy for the wise men and grass, hay and water for the camels and horses the Three Kings rode on.

On the morning of January 6 when the children wake up, they look under their beds for their gifts. The hay would be gone and the shoes will be full of presents.

The tradition is that the three wise men are to give gift to all children who have been good all year through.

The three wise men were viewed as humble, wise men whose gifts to the children were not necessarily expensive, but meaningful.
[ top ]     
Cinco de Mayo:
This date is of great importance for on May 5th, 1862, a great battle was fought. The Battle at Puebla. It was on this day the 2000 poorly trained Mexican peasants, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza and 6000 French soldiers under the command of Napoleon the third. The Mexicans defeated the French at Puebla, inflicting serious losses.

Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity to celebrate Mexican and Chicano culture in general. Cinco de Mayo celebrations often include huge fairs with Mexican singing, dancing, food, costumes, fireworks, parades, and entertainment. Mariachi bands play while dancers perform native Mexican dances such as the Mexican Hat Dance and the Raspa. In Mexico, several towns elaborately reenact the Battle of Puebla in a day-long dramatization that includes acting and speeches encompass a large part of the celebration too.

Today on May fifth, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by native Mexican ( but very especially in the state of Puebla and in Mexico City.) and American people everywhere.
[ top ]     
Mexican Hat Dance:
Dancing and music are also important parts of Mexican Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Find recordings or performers of Mexican music. What instruments are being played? Clap the different rhythms. The Mexican Hat Dance is one of many festive events used to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Mexican Hat Dance

In this dance, partners face each other and hold hands. Jump and tap each heel alternately forward three times starting with the right foot. Clap twice. Repeat seven more times. Hook right elbows with your partner and swing your partner in a circle with eight small running steps. Reverse and swing your partner the other way. Repeat from beginning.

Jump and tap right heel in front
Jump and tap left heel in front
Jump and tap right heel in front
Clap twice
Repeat 1-4 seven times Hook right elbows with partner and swing partner in a circle with eight small running steps
Reverse and swing your partner the other way.

Repeat from beginning
[ top ]     
Cinco de Mayo Rap:
Refrain:

Cinco de Mayo is coming this way,
We celebrate pride, independence and freedom this day.

No more rules from other lands
To take what's made from our hands.
Zaragoza fought at Puebla to win
With only untrained Mexican men. Refrain

So celebrate with food and song;
Let us dance all day long.
At the fiesta, listen to the mariachis play
With violins, guitars, and trumpets. Ole! Refrain

Tonight we dance under the twinkling stars
While a pinata overhead swings near and far.
When Cinco de Mayo comes to an end,
Fireworks will light up the sky for my friends. Refrain
[ top ]     
Cinco de Mayo Story Song:
Do you know the story of,
The story of, the story of
Do you know the story of
This great and happy day?
Yes, I know that brave Juarez,
Brave Juarez, that brave Juarez
Yes I know that brave Juarez
That chased the French away.

The French had no right to rule,
No right to rule, no right to rule,
The French had no right to rule
Our lovely Mexico.
The soldiers and people said,
The people said, the people said
The soldiers and people said
The French they have got to go.

Juarez formed an army troop,
An army troop, an army troop,
Juarez formed an army troop
To chase the French away.
That's why we celebrate,
We celebrate, we celebrate,
That's why we like to celebrate
On the 5th of May!
[ top ]     
Las Posadas:
In Mexico, Christmas is an important holiday season with strong
traditions. One of the most colorful traditions is the posada party.
Christmas festivities begin with Las Posadas, nine consecutive days of
candlelight processions and lively parties starting December 16. From December 16th through December 24th a religious and social celebration takes place to commemorate Mary and Joseph's difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter. Posada means, simply, shelter or lodging in Spanish. Nowadays, the posada has evolved into a religious and social celebration, paying a festive homage to the journey.

Traditionally, the posada party begins with a group of guests carrying candles who stand outside house doors, singing about their long, tiring journey, asking for shelter. The posada song is a representation of an elaborate conversation between Joseph and the inn-keeper. Joseph (who is played by the procession) asks for shelter at the door and is refused also in song (sung by the hosts inside the house where the posada will be held). He asks again, and again is refused. Finally they are admitted into the house and the party begins.

There is singing, dancing, fireworks and games, but the highlight of the posada is always the breaking of the piñata. The classic piñata is a clay pot wrapped in a few layers of newspaper. It is then decorated with tissue paper cardboard and other bits of colored paper. The piñata is filled with peanuts, sugar cane, oranges, tejocotes (similar to apricots), and other fruits. These days piñatas come in all shapes and sizes. Traditionally made in the shape of a star symbolizing the star of Bethlehem they are filled with candy, toys, and sometimes money. The fun part is trying to break the piñata suspended from a rope; a group of children and adults gather around the piñata and each takes a blindfolded turn, swinging at it with either a bat or a broomstick until the piñata is broken and all its contents spill out.

In the old days, the last posada held on December 24 was most popular, because it was followed by midnight Mass. In the provinces of Mexico, this tradition lives on.
[ top ]     
The Night Before Christmas:
‘Twas the night before Christmas y por toda la casa,
Not a creature was stirring-Caramba! Que pasa?
Los niños were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pijamas,
While hanging the medias with mucho ciudado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos y malos,
A nice batch of dulces y otros regalos.
Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my pies like a frightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think that it era?
Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.
I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Berto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"
Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,
Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his real suit de gala,
He filled all the medias with lovely regalos-
For none of the niños had been very malos.
Then chuckling aloud, seeming muy contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone como viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all, y Feliz Navidad!
[ top ]     
Dia de los Reyes or Three Kings Day:
January 6

The Epiphany, or Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), is a Catholic
celebration that falls on January 6. Three Kings Day celebrates the
Biblical story of the Three Kings Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar (or
Three Wise Men} who saw the star over Bethlem when Christ was born.
They followed it and found the Christ child on January 6th. They
brought him gold, frankincense and myrrh.

In Latin America , children receive most of their gifts from the Three Kings
every Jan. 6 instead of Christmas day. Since the Three Kings
brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, so
too did they bring gifts to the good boys and girls. Like Santa Claus, the
Three Kings would be the recipients of children's letters and wish lists.

Instead of leaving milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. On the
evening of January 5, children leave candy for the wise men and grass,
hay and water for the camels and horses the Three Kings rode on. On the morning of January 6 when the children wake up, they look under
their beds for their gifts. The hay would be gone and the shoes
will be full of presents.

The tradition is that the three wise men are to give gift to all children who
have been good all year through.

The three wise men were viewed as humble, wise men whose gifts to the
children were not necessarily expensive, but meaningful.
[ top ]     
Pina Coloda Tamales:
Serving Size : 20

1/2 cup dried banana chips
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes
22 corn husks -- soaked
masa dough for savory tamales
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup fruit juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 cup whipped cream -- optional
1 tablespoon lime zest

1. Use a food processor to finely chop the dried banana; combine the
banana, almonds and coconut in a bowl.
2. Use 2 husk to make strips for tying the tamales.
3. Take about 1 cup of the pineapple and puree it with the fruit juice and brown sugar.

Masa for Sweet Tamales
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups masa harina
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup fruit juice, milk, or soymilk
1 teaspoon baking powder

1. Cream the shortening and sugar.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the masa and salt.
3. Alternately add the masa and juice to the creamed shortening to make a firm dough; beat in the baking powder last.

NOTES : For breakfast or dessert tamales. Enough dough for 16-20 tamales.
Assembly: spread 1 tbsp. filling in the center of a husk; sprinkle 1-2 tsp of the banana/almond mixture over the dough and press a pineapple chunk into the dough. Spread another tbsp. of the dough over the the filling and fold and tie the tamale. Steam for about 1 hour 15 minutes. To Serve: Open the tamale and top with sauce, whipped cream, and lime zest.
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Tempeh Tacos:
1 Medium Bell Pepper -- chopped
1 Jalapeno -- diced
1/3 Cup Salsa
1 Medium Onion -- chopped
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 Teaspoons Chili Powder
2 Cloves Garlic
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin
1/2 Teaspoon Basil
1/2 Teaspoon Oregano
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
8 Flour Tortillas (for soft) or 8 hard taco shells

**Garnishes**
Lettuce -- shredded
Tomato -- diced
Sharp Cheddar Cheese -- shredded
Sour Cream
Black Olives
Sauté in olive oil, tempeh, onion & peppers & garlic until tempeh is lightly browned. Add remaining ingredients, simmer and stir 10 minutes.
Make into tacos.
Serving Size: 4
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Piñata's:
MEXICAN PIÑATA

You will need:

Papier mache glue (see quick and easy recipe below)
Sheets of newspaper
A balloon
String
Candies/small toys
Masking tape (optional)
Paints

What to do:

Blow up the balloon. Tear about five large sheets of newspaper into strips. In a waterproof area, dip the strips of newspaper into your papier mache glue, then lie them across the balloon. Put strips all around the balloon, both vertically and horizontally. Continue until your balloon has about three coats of newspaper all around it. Leave a small hole at the knotted end of the balloon so that you can get the balloon out later.

Drape a long piece of string over the top and down both sides of the balloon. Both ends of the string should extend beyond the knotted end of the balloon by about 30cm. Drape another long piece of string over the balloon in a similar manner, but at right-angles to the first piece of string. Later, you will use these strings to hang up the piñata.

Put more newspaper strips over the top of the strings. Continue to place newspaper strips around the balloon until the balloon has about six layers of newspaper on it (including the three layers beneath the string).

Leave to dry completely. This will usually take at least 24 hours, we recommend 2 -3 days.

Pop the balloon through the hole at the base, and gently pull it out.

Put candies into gap in the balloon shape. Close over the hole either using masking tape or using more papier mache newspaper strips.

Paint and decorate the piñata. You can hang streamers , ribbons, add a hat, what ever you like.

Use the strings to hang up the piñata. Take it in turns to hit the piñata with a stick or bat. When the piñata breaks, the candies will spill everywhere. First in, first served!

PAPIER MÂCHÉ GLUE

You will need:

1/3 cup white glue 1/3 cup water Newspaper

Mix glue and water. Tear newspaper into 1 by 4- to 6-inch strips. See Pinata directions above.
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