Article Information
Title: Costa Rican Christmas Traditions
Author: Laura Alvarado
Date Article was Published: December 18, 2016
Summary: This article was about traditions of a Costa Rican Christmas celebration. Costa Ricans celebrate Christmas like we do in the USA - the families come together to eat dinner, give gifts, and pray. There are Christmas trees and lights too, just like here. They eat Tamales, which are a big part of the dinner/food on Christmas. Tamales are made of corn dough mixed with condiments that are filled with rice, bell pepper, meat (pork or chicken), peas, chickpeas, or other combinations to the taste of the family making them. Making the Tamales is usually a family activity done together. Eggnog and Christmas cake are also needed for a traditional Costa Rican Christmas.
My thoughts: I think it is very cool see the traditions of Costa Rica, and to see how they differ from what we do here. I found it interesting to learn about the foods they eat there - especially the tamales. We usually have pork or ham and have a feast similar to Thanksgiving but they eat Tamales filled with different things instead of having a big ham like we do. It was also illuminating to see that even though they are far away, they perform many of the same traditions we do, like putting up lights and a tree, drinking eggnog, giving gifts, and spending time with family.
How it connects to culture: This is important to the culture of Costa Rica because it gives Costa Rica a sense of difference and cultural identity that differs them from other countries. Having cultural tradition is important because it passes on shared values, and stories on to the next generation. Traditions encourage groups of people to create and share a collective identity, which in turn serves to shape individual identities.
Author: Laura Alvarado
Date Article was Published: December 18, 2016
Summary: This article was about traditions of a Costa Rican Christmas celebration. Costa Ricans celebrate Christmas like we do in the USA - the families come together to eat dinner, give gifts, and pray. There are Christmas trees and lights too, just like here. They eat Tamales, which are a big part of the dinner/food on Christmas. Tamales are made of corn dough mixed with condiments that are filled with rice, bell pepper, meat (pork or chicken), peas, chickpeas, or other combinations to the taste of the family making them. Making the Tamales is usually a family activity done together. Eggnog and Christmas cake are also needed for a traditional Costa Rican Christmas.
My thoughts: I think it is very cool see the traditions of Costa Rica, and to see how they differ from what we do here. I found it interesting to learn about the foods they eat there - especially the tamales. We usually have pork or ham and have a feast similar to Thanksgiving but they eat Tamales filled with different things instead of having a big ham like we do. It was also illuminating to see that even though they are far away, they perform many of the same traditions we do, like putting up lights and a tree, drinking eggnog, giving gifts, and spending time with family.
How it connects to culture: This is important to the culture of Costa Rica because it gives Costa Rica a sense of difference and cultural identity that differs them from other countries. Having cultural tradition is important because it passes on shared values, and stories on to the next generation. Traditions encourage groups of people to create and share a collective identity, which in turn serves to shape individual identities.