Posadas in Mexico, a Christmas Tradition

by Carlos Villamayor

For many Mexicans, the word posadas evokes chilly nights surrounded by family and friends, singing, enjoying a warm meal, and spreading holiday cheer all around. If you have never been lucky enough to be invited to one of these celebrations, read on to find out what posadas in Mexico are all about.

What are posadas?

The word posada means inn or lodging, and traditionally posadas are a celebration of the Christmas story. They take place on nine nights from December 16 to 24 and commemorate the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph’s search for a place to stay where Jesus could be born. Posadas in Mexico feature hot food and drinks, sweets, music, and piñatas.

Throughout Mexico, churches and communities still celebrate these festivities with their traditional, religious elements. Today almost any party held around Christmas is called a posada. Schools often host posadas as end-of-the-year parties for students and teachers.

How did posadas originate?

Posadas in Mexico began as a way for the Spaniards to teach native people about Christmas. During the nine days leading up to Christmas Day, masses would include representations of Mary and Joseph. Following mass was a party where people were blindfolded before hitting a piñata with a stick, a representation of faith defeating temptation with the help of virtue. The fruits and sweets that poured out of the piñata represented the joys of union with God.

In time, posadas started to be held in neighborhoods and people’s homes, becoming a more familiar and tightly-knit occasion, as well as preparation for Christmas. At the beginning of a posada, people are divided in two groups, the ones “outside” representing Mary and Joseph, and the ones “inside” representing innkeepers. Then everyone sings the posada litany together, re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search, going back and forth until they are finally “admitted” to an inn. After this tradition, the party proper starts. Posadas have spread to other countries — such as Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela; the celebrations vary by location.

Must-haves for a successful posada

PIÑATAS

Although they have mostly lost their original religious meaning, piñatas remain an essential part of las posadas. They are commonly filled with candy. In more old-fashioned celebrations you’ll find them filled with small fruits, cookies, and peanuts.

AGUINALDO OR BOLO

These are little candy bags that hosts hand out to the guests at the end of the posada.

PONCHE NAVIDEÑO (MEXICAN CHRISTMAS FRUIT PUNCH

A hot, flavorful drink that for many is synonymous with the holidays. Its ingredients vary from state to state, but it is traditionally prepared with tejocote (Mexican hawthorn), sugarcane, tamarind, apple, pear, guava, and cinnamon sticks. Some hosts will also offer their adult guests ponche con piquete – punch with a sting of alcohol, usually tequila or rum.

TAMALES

These warm treats are made of steamed corn dough filled with meats, cheeses, and vegetables. They date from pre-Columbian times. You can find tamales throughout Mexico year-round, but they’re especially popular during the holiday season.

SINGING
The posada litany is essential. Many people also sing Christmas carols, and during modern posadas, people break out a karaoke machine and sing into the night.

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