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It is a party atmosphere post the processions - “Las Posadas” in Coalcomán, Michoacán, México. Photo courtesy Javier Marin Quiroz and Adriana López Ruíz. December – it is called the ‘best month of the year’ – for it is at the cusp of ushering in a new year, a time for retrospection and to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The events of December 25, leading up to Nativity, may be over 2000 years old but it’s relevance and essence are still embedded in the DNA of a small town in the highlands of Mexico, 8,000 miles away from Bethlehem. “The celebration of ‘Las Posadas’ (posada means “inn” or ‘shelter’ in Spanish) is an important Mexican Christmas tradition and especially enacted in the town of Coalcomán,” said Manuel López, second secretary, Embassy of Mexico to Jamaica. The enactment, which is a fusion of road march by people in traditional dresses, and songs – in celebration, anticipation of the blessings that are to unfold, and an occasion for the community to come toge...

Ringing in the Christmas spirit...Jingle Bells sprinkled with Indian spice.

When I was a girl... Published December 20, 2011 The Gleaner Positive Parenting   “Christmas was very peaceful, as an extended family we would meet for dinner and church,” recollects Leslie Ann-Brown, of the time spent back home in St Ann in the Yuletide season.  “We’ll go all night shopping on Christmas Eve, everything was simple, yet exciting,” says the 29-year-old website developer, who is now living in Kingston and has a 2-year-old son. Growing up, she said, the spirit of the season was different in the countryside.  “In St Ann there was a difference kind of warmth, which is missing in Kingston,” Brown recalls.  “When I came back this place was not sociable.” Brown still misses the simplicity and the festivities back home. “I loved the grand market feel in St Ann; it was so much more personal.” Photo: stock.xchng   “I didn’t feel threatened there,” she reveals, adding with a chuckle, “There was not much of anything was there to ...

Published December 23, 2007 The Gleaner Rhiya Singh, a devout Hindu, says her daily prayers and visits the temple but when it comes to Christmas, she is steeped in the spirit of the season, lighting up the house and decorating the Christmas tree. "I would not consider myself as just Hindu," says Rhiya. "I celebrate Christmas like any other Christian. I accept Jesus as God and consider myself more spiritual (during this season)." For Rani Jagnarine, a biotechnology student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Christmas is a time to enjoy the festivities. "I love the Christmas season," says Rani. "This is a week of celebration that we look forward to and enjoy." Francis Ranil Raj, an exchange student at UWI from Fiji, says that Christmas is an extended feast for everyone in his country, "December 25 and 26 are holidays in Fiji, the family and friends get together and have a feast." For Rhiya an...

Published: Friday | December 26, 2008 "As far back as I can remember there had been no better time than Christmas," says Asha Mohansingh, who has been immersed in the season's festivities since her childhood. "We go to our grandparents in Clarendon on Christmas Day, where the usual festivities abound," says Mohansingh. Hints of Indianness Christmas, which follows Diwali (the Hindu Festival of Lights), has become an integral part of Indian culture in Jamaica. The season, though, has the flavour that their forefathers brought from India. "There are hints of Indian-ness in the festivities," Mohansingh says. "The most visible aspect of Indian-ness is in the cuisine; my grandmother would lay an elaborate fare," she says. The spread includes different kinds of rotis, curry goat, curry chicken and sweets. "There would also be the chicken roast and baked chicken to add the Jamaican touch," Mohansingh says. Beyond r...