Familia…
I want to share something I experienced as a young teenager during the time I lived in Puerto Rico. In 1981 or 1982 I was introduced to many Puerto Rican Christmas traditions that we never observed in Nueva York. Things like Parrandas did not exist there or at least were not done in the same fashion as a good old fashion Boricua style ASALTO.
During that time in Puerto Rico, many of the kids did not believe in Santa Claus…their holiday began with more of a spiritual celebration of Christmas (probably closer to what people who are religious experience), Party during New Years (this is when I learned the “12 Uvas” tradition) and yearned for January 6th to come so that they can be visited by the “Tres Reyes Magos”. I would put fresh grass under my bed in a box so that I can help them feed the camels for their long journey to visit baby Jesus. In exchange for my grass…and if I was a good boy, I would receive a gift.
When I came back to NYC years later, I learned that many organizations celebrated “El Dia De Los Reyes” with different cultural shows but very few families actually celebrate the holiday as they do in Puerto Rico or many other countries. This makes me sad…and what is even worse, I am no different than many people who do not celebrate it. I am part of the problem…I never taught my children the beauty of this holiday.
I posted the history of this holiday last year…but this year I would love to start a movement of people that will commit to bringing this holiday back into our culture no matter where we live.
Are you with me on this?
Let us know in the comments below if you celebrate it already and share some of your stories.
George Torres
The Urban Jibaro
Cultivando Cultura since 1997…
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growing up, we never celebrated three kings day but my family in p.r. did. now that i live in l.a., where the p.r. community is small, i’m incorporating more of our traditions into our lives. this year, we are doing a three kings dinner at my friend’s house. i have a box set a aside for my son to decorate this week. already got the gifts to go in it – one from each king.
That is great, I would love to see some pictures if possible.
Gracias Rachael!!!
I never lived in Puerto Rico personally but I visited so frequently as a child that sometimes I feel like I did…I experienced the holiday on my many visits to P.R. and recall fondly leaving grass in a box under the bed also. It is and always will be one of my many cherished memories of Puerto Rico and my grandmother. Jibaro, as always you can count me in.
my son did drawings and glued them on a box. put them on the foot of the bed, then gift were there for him in the morning. we had a family dinner this evening. instead of a ‘king’ cake, we had cup cakes. he had catechism today so he also had a mini celebration during class too. it was a really beautiful day.
heres a link to a twitpic – http://twitpic.com/wxvrb
I FEEL THE SAME WAY. I JUST URGED FANS TO KEEP THE TRADITION ON BROOKLYN CUPCAKE FB PAGE. WE MUST DO THIS FOR THE SURVIVAL OF OUR CULTURE.