Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

After spinning him a few times, Ambassador Rueda points this little boy to the piñata, which he tries fervently to break open to release a variety of candies. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The Mexican tradition of 'Las Posadas', which literally means 'the inns', is a re-enactment of the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, depicting their plight to find lodging at numerous inns and being turned away.

On Tuesday, December 19, under the patronage of Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda, a number of families gathered at Stella Maris Church, at Shortwood Road, to carry out the tradition.

Just as it is done in Mexico, children paraded the 'town', which was just the church's compound, followed by adults carrying candles. The leaders of the parade carried a figure of the Nativity scene showing Joseph and Mary holding baby Jesus.

The procession circled the Stella Maris compound asking for shelter. They sang a song called 'Villancico para pedir posadas' (Searching for an Inn Carol). This represents Mary and Joseph going from "inn" to "inn" asking for shelter. While they sang, the people in the hall sang back "No, there's no space in their inn." Finally, the doors of the church hall where opened to the procession, an example of when an innkeeper permitted Mary and Joseph to stay in the stable, and then the party began!

After prayer, everyone had his/her fill of Mexican food, drinks and lounged with friends and family for some good-natured fun.

Breaking the pinata

In Mexico, the breaking of a piñata accompanies almost every festive occasion. So, following the merriment, the piñata was erected outside the church hall for blindfolded children to try to break it.

The piñata represents the seven capital sins or the Devil, and you have to hit him (the Devil) hard to make him let go of all of the good things that he has stolen.

While the children or adults hit the piñata, all have to sing:

Spanish

¡Dale! ¡Dale! ¡Dale,

No pierdas el tino

Porque si lo pierdes

Pierdes el camino

English

Hit it! Hit it! Hit it!

Don't lose your aim

'Cause if you lose it

You'll lose your way

This, however, was a case of the unbreakable piñata. This piñata just would not yield to the efforts of the children, who in many instances were on target with their 'whacks'. 'Di Devil strong, eeh!" Eventually, an adult had to pry it open, then the goodies poured out and the anxious children scrambled to gather them all.