Culture of Nicaragua

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nicaraguan culture has several distinct strands. The west of the country was colonized by Spain and has a similar culture to other Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. The people of western Nicaragua are mostly mestizos, and Spanish is invariably their first language. They are prone to refer to themselves as Nicas, Nicoyas & Pinoleros.

1 Culture
- 1.1 Language and Religion
2 Literature
- 2.1 El Güegüense
  - 2.1.1 Recognition
3 Legends
4 Costa Rica relationship
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Culture

The country has strong folklore, music and religious traditions, deeply influenced by European culture but enriched with Amerindian sounds and flavours. Nicaragua has historically been an important source of poetry in the Hispanic world, with internationally renowned contributors, the best known being Rubén Darío. Also included in this group are Ernesto Cardenal, Gioconda Belli, Jose Coronel Urtecho and Pablo Antonio Cuadra.

Education is free for all Nicaraguans. Elementary education is free and compulsory, and communities located on the Atlantic Coast have access to education in their native language. Higher education has financial, organic and administrative autonomy, according to the law. Also, freedom of subjects is recognized. Nicaraguan culture can further be defined in several distinct strands. The west of the country was colonized by Spain and its people are mostly Mestizos and European in composition; Spanish is invariably their first language.

Macho Raton

The eastern half of the country, on the other hand, was once a British protectorate. English is still predominant in this region and spoken domestically along with Spanish. Both languages are taught in schools. Its culture is similar to that of Caribbean nations that were or are British possessions, such as Jamaica, Belize, The Cayman Islands, etc. Although recent immigration by mestizos has largely influenced younger generations and an increasing number of people are either bilingual at home or speak Spanish only. There is a relatively large population of people of mixed African descent, as well as a smaller Garifuna population. Due to the African influence, in the East Coast, there is a different kind of music. It is the popular dance music called 'Palo de Mayo', or Maypole, which is celebrated during the Maypole Festival, during the month of May. The music is sensual with intense rhythms. The celebration is derived from the British Maypole for May Day celebration, as adapted and transformed by the Afro-Nicaraguans on the Caribbean or Mosquito Coast.

An example of typical Nicaraguan artesans which are sold in markets all over the country

Of the cultures that were present before European colonization, the Nahuatl-speaking peoples who populated the west of the country have essentially been assimilated into the Latino culture. In the east, however, several indigenous groups have maintained a distinct identity. The Miskito, Sumo, Garifuna, and Rama people still use their original languages, and also usually speak English and/or Spanish.

[edit] Language and Religion

Spanish is spoken by 90% of the country's population. In Nicaragua the Voseo form is common, just as in other countries in Central and South America like Honduras, Argentina and Ecuador. Spanish has many different dialects spoken throughout Latin America, Central American Spanish is the dialect spoken in Nicaragua. The black population of the east coast region have English as their first language. Several indigenous peoples of the east still use their original language, the main languages being Miskito language, Sumo language, and Rama language. Also, due to the arrival of the Chinese in the 19th century, there are an estimated 7,000 people who speak Chinese.^[1] Nicaraguan Sign Language is of particular interest to linguists.

Roman Catholicism is the major religion, but evangelical Protestant groups have grown recently, and there are strong Anglican and Moravian communities on the Caribbean coast. The 2005 census shows religious affiliation as follows: Roman Catholic 58,5%, Evangelical 21,6, Moravian 1.6%, Jehovah's Witnesses 0,9%, other 1.6%, none 15,7%^[2].

90% of Nicaraguans live in the Pacific lowlands and the adjacent interior highlands. The population is 54% urban. An estimated 1.4 million Nicaraguans live outside of Nicaragua, mainly in neighboring Costa Rica and in the United States.

[edit] Literature

Traditionally, Nicaraguans have a particularly close relationship to poetry, as Ruben Dario, one of the most famous writers in Spanish language, is considered the nation's greatest son.

Distinctive traditional costumes and dance from a very renowned folk dance from Nicaragua, El Güegüense

[edit] El Güegüense

Main article: El Güegüense

El Güegüense is a satirical drama and was the first literary work of pre-Colombian Nicaragua. It is regarded as one of Latin Americas most distinctive colonial-era expressions and as Nicaragua's signature folkloric masterpiece combining music, dance and theater.^[3] El Güegüense is performed during the feast of San Sebastián in Diriamba (Carazo department) from January 17 to the 27th.

The theatrical play was written by an anonymous author in the 16th century, making it one of the oldest indigenous theatrical/dance works of the Western Hemisphere.^[4] It was passed down orally for many centuries until it was finally written down and published into a book in 1942.^[5]

[edit] Recognition

"El Güegüense" represents folklore of Nicaragua, therefore, UNESCO proclaimed it a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" in 2005 making Nicaragua the only country in Central America and one of six in Latin America to have 2 proclaimed masterpieces by UNESCO.^[6] The first proclaimed masterpiece was the "Oral traditions and expressions" of the Garifuna.^[7]

[edit] Legends

Nicaraguans legends are probably a heritage of Native-American ancestry.

Cadejo

There is a good, white cadejo and an evil, black cadejo. Both are spirits that appear at night to travellers: the white to protect them from harm during their journey, the black (sometimes an incarnation of the devil), to kill them. They usually appear in the form of a large (up to the size of a cow), shaggy dog with burning red eyes and a goat's hooves, although in some areas they have more bull-like characteristics; According to the stories, many have tried to kill the black cadejo but have failed and perished.

Segua Also called Sihuanaba, Segua is probably a romanization of the nahuatl "Sihua" which means woman. The legend of Sihuanaba says that the woman, originally called Sihuehuet ("beautiful woman"), had a romance with god Tlaloc's son, which resulted in her pregnancy. She was a bad mother, leaving her son alone to meet her lover. When Tlaloc found out about this, he cursed Sihuehuet to be now called Sihuanaba ("hideous woman"): she would be beautiful at first sight, but when men approached her, she would turn into a horrible abomination.

Carreta Nagua

La Llorona

Sometimes called the Woman in White or the Weeping Woman is the ghost of a woman crying for her dead children. Her appearances are sometimes held to presage death.

La Taconuda

[edit] Costa Rica relationship

In comparison to the economies of the Americas in general, the Nicaraguan economy is weak, and no less so next to prosperous Costa Rica just south. The Nicaraguans seem to have a more "patient" and less-rushed culture than nearby wealthier nations, and felony crime rate is certainly lower, as is the trend of bearing arms. Nevertheless, as scores migrate to Costa Rica for employment, Costa Ricans often react negatively to their arrival in large numbers and willingness to accept low-wage work, and there can at times exist a tension between the two nations. In Costa Rica, rumors and news stories concerning "Nicaraguan criminals" are not uncommon, while in Nicaragua, tales of customs extortionists and abusive employment in CR are often told. It is therefore a theme that may occupy people's minds, the state of Nicaraguans against Costa Ricans, or Nicas contra Ticos.