Bolivia's Christmas: A Festive Season Like No Other

Christmas in Bolivia is a deeply religious affair, with the majority of the population being Catholic. The festivities begin on Christmas Eve and continue until Epiphany on the 6th of January. The main event of Christmas Eve is the Midnight Mass, called the 'Misa de Gallo' (Mass of the Rooster), after which families return home to feast on traditional dishes such as 'picana', a hearty soup/stew made with meat and vegetables. Christmas Day is a more relaxed affair, with people sipping hot chocolate, eating pastries, and meeting friends and family. Gift-giving is not a common practice on Christmas Day, but children receive presents on Epiphany, remembering the Wise Men who brought gifts to Jesus.

Christmas in Bolivia is celebrated from Christmas Eve until the Epiphany on 6 January

Christmas in Bolivia is a deeply religious affair, with the majority of the population identifying as Catholic. The festivities begin on Christmas Eve and continue until the Epiphany on the 6th of January.

On Christmas Eve, families attend the Midnight Mass, called the 'Misa de Gallo' (Mass of the Rooster), so named because people return home as the roosters are crowing to greet the new day. The mass is held in churches overflowing with visitors, and the service is often accompanied by the sound of firecrackers. After the mass, families sit down to a feast of 'picana', a soup made with several kinds of meat, vegetables, and corn, served with salads, roast pork or beef, and an abundance of tropical fruit.

Christmas Day is a more relaxed affair, with people sipping hot chocolate and eating 'buñuelos' (a doughnut-like pastry drizzled in syrup). Some people also attend church services, meet up with friends, and spend time with family.

The holiday season in Bolivia is also marked by the giving of 'canastas', large baskets of food staples and treats, by employers to their employees. These baskets often contain items such as flour, corn, eggs, salt, candies, fruits, honey, and wine, and are meant to be shared with families on Christmas Eve.

Gift-giving is not a common practice during Christmas in Bolivia. Instead, gifts are exchanged during the Epiphany on January 6th, when children receive presents. The night before, they place their shoes outside their door, and in the morning, they find them filled with gifts from the Three Kings.

The nativity scene, or 'pesebre', is the most important decoration in Bolivian homes during the Christmas season. These scenes, which depict the city of Bethlehem, can be quite elaborate, with figurines and props representing the Holy Family, angels, the Wisemen, and barnyard animals. In recent years, Christmas trees and lights have also started to appear in Bolivian homes, especially in metropolitan areas, although they are not as prevalent as the nativity scenes.

Midnight Mass is called the 'Misa de Gallo' (Mass of the Rooster)

In Bolivia, Christmas is celebrated from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on the 6th of January. The majority of the population is Catholic and many attend a Midnight Mass service on Christmas Eve, known as the 'Misa de Gallo' or 'Mass of the Rooster'.

The Misa de Gallo is a Midnight Mass celebrated in many Spanish-speaking countries and former Spanish colonies. The name 'Mass of the Rooster' comes from an old European folk tale. According to the tale, Jesus was born at the stroke of midnight, and roosters were the first to announce his birth. The first rooster flew to the roof of the stable and proclaimed in a human voice, "Christ is born!" while the second cried out, "In Bethlehem!". As the rooster was the first creature to call humanity to worship on the eve of Jesus' birth, the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is named in its honour.

The tradition of midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was first recorded by Egeria, a Galician woman who went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land around 381 CE. She witnessed early Catholics in Jerusalem honouring the Christmas mystery with a midnight vigil at Bethlehem, followed by a torchlight procession to Jerusalem, arriving at the Church of the Resurrection at dawn.

In Bolivia, Christmas Eve is marked by the Misa de Gallo, followed by a traditional meal of 'picana', a stew or soup made from chicken, beef or lamb, and pork, served with potatoes and corn. Families may exchange presents after the meal, although gift-giving is not very common. Nativity scenes ('pesebre') are also a common Christmas decoration in Bolivia, with churches often displaying large scenes outside.

Families often eat a meal of 'picana' after the Misa de Gallo

In Bolivia, Christmas is a deeply religious celebration that lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on the 6th of January. The majority of Bolivians are Catholic and, as such, many families attend the Midnight Mass service on Christmas Eve, known as the 'Misa de Gallo' (Mass of the Rooster).

The Misa de Gallo is a traditional Catholic mass and an integral part of Christmas in Bolivia and other Spanish-speaking countries. The mass marks the beginning of Christmas celebrations and is a time for reflection, prayer, and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The church retells the story of Christ's birth with a nativity scene, and attendees sing traditional Christmas songs.

After the Misa de Gallo, families often gather to share a meal. The traditional dish is 'picana', a stew or soup made from chicken, beef, or lamb, and pork, served with potatoes and corn. The meal may also include salads, roast pork or beef, and an abundance of tropical fruit. In Santa Cruz, many people eat turkey or roast chicken. The table is often adorned with fresh flowers, and families may toast with champagne or wine.

The picana del pollo is a traditional chicken stew featuring peas, carrots, and potatoes. This dish is believed to have originated in Bolivia and is considered a staple of Bolivian cuisine. The name "picana" may come from the Spanish word "picar", which means "to pierce" or "to prick", possibly referring to the act of piercing the meat with a fork or the pricking of spices used to flavour the stew.

Preparing and sharing a meal of picana is a significant part of Christmas celebrations in Bolivia. It is a time for families to come together and connect over a delicious and hearty meal. The act of sharing food and partaking in this tradition fosters a sense of community and reinforces the importance of family bonds during the festive season.

Christmas decorations include nativity scenes ('pesebre' or 'nacimiento') and Christmas trees

In Bolivia, Christmas is a deeply religious celebration, with decorations that include nativity scenes and Christmas trees. The former, known as "pesebre" or "nacimiento", translates to "stable" in English and is a common feature in homes and churches. These nativity scenes can vary in size and complexity, from small, hand-carved figurines to large displays with life-size cattle and biblical figures. Churches often showcase intricate pesebres outside their main doors, attracting many visitors.

The nativity scenes may include animals, shepherds, angels, a manger, baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the Three Kings or Wise Men, nestled in a bed of moss or straw within a stable. Some pesebres are even shaped like upright cross-sections of houses, with Mary, Joseph, and the Wise Men on the lower level and baby Jesus in a manger on the top level. These displays are typically removed on New Year's Eve.

While Christmas trees are becoming more popular in larger Bolivian towns and cities, they are not traditionally a focal point of Christmas celebrations in the country. Instead, the holiday is centred on religious processions, Mass, and acts of kindness towards employees.

Christmas in Bolivia is celebrated from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on the 6th of January. The majority of Bolivians are Catholic, and many attend the Midnight Mass service on Christmas Eve, known as the "Misa de Gallo" (Mass of the Rooster). This is followed by a feast, with families gathering to share a meal of "picana", a stew or soup made from chicken, beef, or lamb, served with potatoes and corn. The table is also adorned with salads, roast meats, and an abundance of tropical fruit.

Employers give their staff a 'canastón de fin de Año' or 'End of the Year basket' with food and treats

Christmas in Bolivia is a deeply religious affair, with the majority of the population being Catholic. The festivities last from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on the 6th of January.

A unique aspect of Christmas in Bolivia is the tradition of employers giving their staff a "canastón de fin de Año" or "End of the Year basket". This is a large basket or container filled with food items and treats. The tradition is not a legal requirement but is a well-loved custom that has become an integral part of Christmas celebrations in Bolivia.

The "canastón" typically includes basic food staples such as ketchup, mustard, bread, jam, crackers, cookies, sugar, rice, and flour. Sometimes, chocolates or candies are also added. The basket always includes a "panetón" (a traditional holiday sweet bread with raisins and nuts) and a bottle of "cidra" (sparkling cider).

The cost and contents of the "canastón" can vary depending on the company's budget and the number of employees. Some companies spend generously on these baskets, while others opt for more modest options. In some cases, employees themselves contribute throughout the year to ensure they receive a "canastón" during the holiday season.

The "canastón de fin de Año" is a special part of Christmas in Bolivia, bringing joy and appreciation to employees and their families, especially children who eagerly anticipate this gift. It is a unique tradition that adds to the festive cheer and camaraderie during the holiday season.

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