Diriamba

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Diriamba is a municipality in the Carazo department of Nicaragua, with a population of 31,200 (2005).

Fiestas de San Sebastian

The city is well known in the country by a number of idiosyncratic events and landmarks, as well as its mild weather, rich agricultural lands and jovial people.

The city celebrates the life and story of the Chorotega chieftain named Diriangen, and famed by his struggle against the invasion by the Spanish conquistadors.

During the month of January, the city celebrates the annual festival of San Sebastian, Diriamba's patron saint. The week-long celebration culminates with the marching of El Gueguense, a complex dance incorporating both Christian and pagan traditions in a satirical criticism to the Spanish colony. The Gueguense is the first precolonial literary figure in Nicaraguan history. It was allegedly written by an unknown author in the XVII century. The storyline hails back to the years of the colony and by confusing Spanish and Nahuatl word sounding alike, it makes fun of Spanish authorities.

Diriamba

[edit] Geography

The city's elevation (just above 500 meters above sea level), and the geography of the cordillera upon which it sits, lend it a constantly mild weather (though notoriously windy January through March). The principal township is surrounded by hills populated by diversified tropical dry deciduous/evergreen forest, fertile coffee plantations, brilliant rivers,also idyllic beaches at a short drive of 45 minutes on a two lane road. The city is also home to the Diriangen Soccer Club, a traditional powerhouse in Nicaraguan professional soccer.

Diriamba is home to three principal churches, one of them being La Basilica de San Sebastian, the foundation stone was laid out in 1891, but the Basilica inaugurated until 1939. Other important landmarks are the clock tower and the former site of the El Aguacate hydroelectric dam, now simply a waterfall.