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Nicaragua / CENTRAL AMERICA

Culture:

The richness and diversity of Nicaraguan culture has captivated millions of visitors. Nicaraguan culture can be divided into various parts. On the Pacific coast, due to the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, Spanish and indigenous influences predominate. The main religion is Catholicism, although various sects of Protestantism also exist. Nevertheless, the Pacific coast has British influences due to the conquerors dominating the area during the 19th century. A few people with indigenous origin inhabit that area and maintain their own language and traditions.

One important aspect of the Nicaraguan culture is the annual celebration of their patron saints and patriotic festivities. Every district of the country has its own celebration of local characters, which generate a myriad of festivals year round.

Those celebrations consist of traditional dances, games and rituals. Food, drinks, music, clowns and finally fireworks are quite common during Nicaraguan festivities.

Cuisine

Foods : Nicaraguan food, as in all Mesoamerican countries, is based on corn. Corn has a deep cultural meaning. Legend says that Quetzalcoatl, the mythical person who was considered the civilizer and guide for the Mesoamerican peoples, placed a grain of corn on the lips of the first man and woman. Today, corn is the main ingredient in cakes, spirits, drinks, desserts, and more. Cassava, beans and chili peppers are also widely used as ingredients in different Nicaraguan dishes.

Nicaragua's most popular food is gallo pinto , which consists of rice, beans and sometimes chicken or beef. Plantains, potatoes and salad also accompany this dish. Additionally, seafood is popular along the coasts. Corn is a daily staple, and is consumed in pastries, desserts and is frequently wrapped in banana leaves. Other popular traditional dishes include fritanga , a combination of rice, beans, sliced and fried plantains, salad and beef, pork or chicken. Quesillo is a tortilla served with cheese and sour cream. Vigurón is boiled cassava with a cabbage salad and fried pork rinds and yucca. Tortillas are a thin corn bread, present in almost every Nicaraguan dish. Caballo Vayo is made with a tortilla, in which one can wrap any ingredient such as breadfruit, green banana, vegetables and fish in a coconut sauce. Wabul is a delicious puree, served warm and made with bananas and breadfruit mixed with coconut milk.

Drinks: Try pinolillo , a refreshing drink made from toasted corn and cocoa. It is considered the national drink and has inspired the Nicaraguans to call themselves Pinoleros . Fruit juices are another thing all visitors should taste. They are made with delicious fresh tropical fruits such as granadilla, custard apple, pineapple and other tropical fruits.

Desserts: Try cajeta , pío quinto , buñuelos or manjar .

You will find countless dishes that will charm you. Don't forget to try as many local delicacies as you can: it's an excellent way to feel and enjoy Nicaraguan culture more personally.

Music and Dance:

The marimba is the national instrument. It is constructed with hardwood plates that are placed over bamboo or metal tubes of different lengths, then played with 2 or 4 soft mallets. The marimba is frequently accompanied by guitars and other percussion instruments.

Due to the region's African influence, the Caribbean coast boasts a different musical style. The rhythms are intense, frantic and very sensual. The best time to enjoy them is during the May Pole festival in May ( Palo de Mayo , in Spanish).

There is a rich indigenous theatrical heritage. Indigenous people used to have theatrical presentations accompanied by beautiful music and dances. Most of them are still performed during local festivals and at the Rubén Darío National Theater. The most important are Los Caballeros Elegantes del Toro Huaco (The Elegant Knights of the Huaco Bull), La Burla del Güegüense (The Güegüense Mockery) and El Drama Épico del Gigante (The Giant's Epic Drama).

These performances are generally associated with religious celebrations.

The country has produced several famous musicians. Carlos Mejía Godoy has composed many of Nicaragua's most famous songs. Mejía Godoy's songs, in fact, seem to form a part of every Nicaraguan's music collection. He, along with his brother Enrique, run their own establishment in Managua's posh Zona Rosa where you can enjoy their music and poetry. Other composers, groups and performers enrich the local musical tradition and culture and include artists such us Camilo Zapata, the Dimensión Costeña group, Luís Enrique "The Salsa Prince," Salvador Cardenal, Katia Cardenal, Lía Barrios and several other magnificent artists.

Patron Saint Festivals:

Nicaragua is extremely rich in cultural celebrations. Its calendar is full of Patron Saint Festivals and celebrations that involve religious symbolism and other traits that are influenced by ancient indigenous cultures. Performances are common, and the country's rich oral tradition lives on.

All celebrations follow a basic pattern. They have a solemn mass, still called función (show) by some locals. Mass is conducted by the local priest or the diocesan bishop.

Following the presentation of the saints images, the people offer flower arrangements and offerings (little gold or silver objects and fruit bunches). This is especially common in the Pueblos Blancos (White Towns), near Granada.

Nearly everybody takes part in these celebrations. Children, parents and the elderly dance, sing and pray together. Food and music are the main components of these manifestations, along with equestrian parades and bullfights. All festivities are accompanied by music bands, best known as Chichero Music or Philharmonics. They play popular songs and Salve Reginas , which are religious songs.

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