Folklore+in+Puerto+Rico

__Folklore in Puerto Rico__
toc //Josh Hector// Puerto Rico is a small beautiful island located in the Caribbean. The small but heavy populated island is full of people that contain a thriving Puerto Rican culture which has many thrilling legend stories, traditions, and holidays that come together to comprise the folklore in Puerto Rico.

__**History**__
In the pre-colonial era, (1000 AD-1493) Puerto Rico was inhabitated by many indeginous Indian groups. The most prominent group, the Taínos, established a way of life and created a cultural foundation that would be passed down from generation to generation by the Spaniards when they came to the new world. The Spanish rule and influence stayed in Puerto Rico from (1493- 1898). During this time, the Spanish people preserved theTaíno culture and added some new practices themselves. In addition, through slave trade, the African Americans who lived in Puerto Rico also influenced Puerto Rico's folklore. Today, Puerto Rico is owned by the United States of America and as a result, Puerto Rico remains a diverse territory and stories of legends, holidays, and traditions are still practiced today.

__ **El Chupacabra** __
The mystical creature known as **El Chupacabra** has been terrorizing Puerto Rico, South America, and some parts of the U.S., for many years. The word //Chupacabra// means "goat-sucker," because the evil creature hunts goats and other animals and sucks their blood leaving his prey lifeless. Because the Chupacabra has only been seen by a few witnesses, people argue about it's appearance and where it even came from. It is a mystery and a story that is admired in Puerto Rico as the people still fear the animal, especially when they find their animals one day mysteriously dead.

[[image:spanishdialects-11c/chupacabra.jpg height="257" align="left" caption="El Chupacabra"]]__**The legend of Guanina**__
The legend of Guanina is a powerful historical love story that is said to be inspired by the Taíno rebellion against the Spanish conquistadores. In the 1500's, Guanina was a Taíno princess who fell in love with a Spanish officer named Don Cristobal de Sotomayor. Guanina's brother, an enemy to the Spaniards, hated all Spanish people and promised to kill his sister's love. So Guanina warned her love, Sotomayor, and told him to flee the war. But, despite Guanina's warnings, Sotomayor undertook the journey and was killed in battle. After the rebellion, the Taíno tribe hunted down Guanina for being a traitor and they would try to sacrifice her to the gods. They finally found Guanina, but when they did, they saw her dead over the body of Sotomayor. In respects, the people buried the lovers under a ceiba tree. The legend of Guanina was then passed on as a forbidden love story and is considered provocative tale to most Puerto Ricans.

__ **The Legend of the Hummingbird** __
Another legend that would be passed down from the indigenous tribe is the legend of the hummingbird. This legend resembles the legend of Guanina. The story would be told as a tale of two indians who loved each other but were from rival tribes. The two indians, Alida and Taroo met and fell in love after meeting each other by a pool in the forest. After Alida'd father finds out about the secret love, he quickly arranges a marriage between Alida and man from their tribe. Scared that she would never see her love again, Alida prayed to the gods that instead she be married to a man from her tribe, that she be turned into a red flower. When it was time for Taroo to meet Alida, he found out that his love had been transformed into a flower. Upset and confused, Taroo prayed to the gods asking them to help him find her again. The gods were kind to Taroo and turned him into a hummingbird where he then was able to find his true love, Alida, the red flower.

__**Traditions and Special Events**__
To all Puerto Ricans, different traditions and special events that take place within the different families hold extreme importance to their culture and holds a powerful meaning behind each event.

__**Weddings**__
In every society, weddings hold great significance and meaning to each and every family. In Puerto Rico, they celebrate a wedding ceremony in many similar ways along with the traditional marriage ceremony. But, Puerto Rico also differentiates itself from the normal traditions. One unique characteristic of a Puerto Rican wedding is the use of bridal doll. A bridal doll, is a little doll that is dressed in the same gown as the bride. The bridal doll is usually placed on the head or center table with souvenirs attached to its dress. During the wedding, the bride and groom will walk to each person in attendance of the wedding and thank him or her for their presence at the wedding. Each person then pins money to a souvenir on the doll's dress as a gift and sign of gratitude.

__**Quinceañeras**__
The quinceañera is an important Spanish tradition that was started centuries ago with the indigenous people of Puerto Rico to serve as an important ritual to commemorate the transition of girls from childhood to womanhood. At that time in history, fifteen year old girls were taken away from their families to prepare for womanhood by learning about the history and traditions of her people. After the girl was educated, she would then return to the community and in her return there was a great celebration.In today's society, this celebration often includes a religious ceremony at church which is more often practiced in a Catholic Church which was then followed by a party.The girl on the day of her quinceañera would wear a an extravagant ball gown similar to a wedding gown. During the festivities, males would take turns dancing with the girl and as customary, the first dance is a waltz danced with her father. After the dancing, dinner was then served and to conclude the night, the girl gets to cut into her multi-tiered cake and enjoy the rest of the nights festivities.

__**Christmas**__
Christmas is an exciting holiday that is anxiously awaited by everyone in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, as in most of Latin American countries, Christmas traditions have their roots in Catholicism. Puerto Rico's Christmas season is very long because it starts right after Thanksgiving and lasts until three kings day on January 6th. During the holiday season, all of the homes are decorated with lights and poinsettias. Puerto Ricans also display the Nativity scene in the front of their yards as a sign of respect. During this time, the families love making delicious food such as roast pork, rice, pigeon peas, green bananas, and yucca, which are mashed plantains. Along with the main course, the families also make special deserts such as arroz con dulce and they also make their famous drinks such as coquito. On Christmas Eve, the families usually spend time with each other and on Christmas day they celebrate the birth of Jesus by going to catholic mass. On December 28th, the people celebrate the day of the Holy Innocents. This day recognizes the slaying of the male children by Herod in Bethlehem following the birth of Christ, as it is told in the Gospel. A few days later on December 31, the people celebrate the end of the year with relatives and friends. The party really begins at midnight when everyone meets together and gives each other hugs and wishes them happiness. Some traditions includes eating 12 grapes, one for every time the clock rings its bells to tell time, because it is believed to bring good luck to those who can eat all 12 grapes before the clock stops ringing. Some people also throw out a bucket of water by the balcony or window because it scares away any bad luck. The festivities start to end on January 5th, which is the the feast of Epiphany's Eve, where the children place water and grass under their beds as presents for the three wise men. The children then wake up early the next day on"Dia de Reyes" to check out what was left for them. Certain toys and gifts are left by their parents (the three wisemen) as a gift of thanks. And lastly the Governor opens his mansion to everyone and are treated with toys, refreshments, and musical entertainment.

__**Town Festivals**__
In Puerto Rico, each town has it's own patron saint so every year the Puerto Rican people throw a huge festival to celebrate. The festival usually lasts a week long and has dances, food, parades, and religious activities. In addition, there are also special folk festivals that occur which feature an important product to the region and brings national pride.


 * If you want to know a little more about Puerto Rico, here are some fun facts! Enjoy!**

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__**Resources:**__ [1]"A Puerto Rican Christmas." //El Boricua, a Bilingual, Cultural Publication for Puerto Ricans//. Web. 05 Dec. 2011. . [2]"A Puerto Rican Wedding." //El Boricua, a Bilingual, Cultural Publication for Puerto Ricans//. Web. 05 Dec. 2011. . [3]Babín, María T. //The Puerto Ricans' Spirit: Their History, Life, and Culture//. New York: Collier Books, 1971. Print. [4]"Culture of Puerto Rico - History, People, Clothing, Traditions, Women, Beliefs, Food, Customs, Family." //Countries and Their Cultures//. Web. 05 Dec. 2011. . [5]"El Chupacabra." //Its All a Matter of Awareness...// Web. 05 Dec. 2011. . [6]Mason, John A. //Folklore Puertorriqueño//. San Juan de Puerto Rico: Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, 1960. Print. [7]Morales, Carrión A, and María T. Babín. //Puerto Rico, a Political and Cultural History//. New York: W.W. Norton, 1983. Print. [8]"Patron Saint Festivals." //Welcome to Puerto Rico!// Web. 5 Dec. 2011. . [9]"Quinceanera Traditions - Puerto Rico." //Quinceanera Party Favors - Party Decorations - Place Card Holders//. Web. 05 Dec. 2011. .