North West of Colombia En Español
Christmas : Prayer, Faith, Hope, Joy, Solidarity
Xmas Foods : Natilla, Buñuelos, Arepas, Chorizos
In Antioquia, Colombia, the senior citizens of our community celebrate
Christmas,
the just reward for a year of hard work and effort.
the just reward for a year of hard work and effort.
In our home for the Elderly, the handicapped, or people that had severe
economic problems and old age, celebrate Christmas. They thank God for the
Faith and Hope. This is a Religious Feast, but it also commemorates the
effort and the achievements of the Year 1999. A year of hardship and difficulty
( because of the economic slowdown, politics, etc ), but it is necessary to
smile to bad weather, and there is among us a beautiful solidarity, friendship,
generosity and union.
Christmas in Antioquia : beautiful and poetic 'novenas' ( 9 days ) are
prayed, written here more that a century ago, and that have a poetic quality,
with great beauty and devotion. Beautiful nativities ( pesebres, belenes ),
decorations, Christmas carols, funny riddles and games for Children. These
ludic activities and jokes correspond only to December.
But we also celebrate the coming of our Saviour and the end of the year.
There are many special foods, parties, dancing, etc... Let's see some
Photos.
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Photos :
In Antioquia and Colombia Christmas is not conceived without some special
foods and their preparation rituals. Here we see 'arepas' ( the white or
yellowish maiz cakes ) to the fire, we also see buñuelos ( maize flour with
cheese ) boiling in oil. The 'chorizos' ( meat ) do not need so many
explanations since they are known universally in Spain and Latin America.
All countries have special foods for Christmas, but here the customs are
particularly strong and its observance is very strict. Neighbors are very
important in all these rituals, and families are extended the most.
Photo to the left : The natilla is a
delicious sweet, a gel or gelatine, ant its elaborated with maize, milk,
and other special sugars and ingredients. A stick is used to stir
the mixture to the fire.
Many of these christmas delicatessen contain maize in their recipes, and
that is why Antioquia has been always called 'maize culture' by strangers
and foreigners. Antioquia is a land of high mountains and ranges, to the
North and West of Colombia.
The use and abuse of maize, and its strong preference everyday has to do
with a precolumbian past, but there are many other sweets in Christmas that
are not prepared with maize. Rice and fruits are preferred ingredients, and
the climate and range of temperatures make this country a heaven for exotic
fruits.
Our institution, Dulazar, provides housing for the Elderly as a loan without
rent. These people may have endured very difficult economic conditions.
In a beautiful place on the hills overlooking the city of Medellín,
Colombia.
The homes of San Carlos were built as the renovation of an old building,
1500 square meters, 24 apartaments with green zones, big comunitary rooms
and a gimnasium.
Caring for parents, grandparents, granduncles
42 persons live now here, they have found company, solidarity and a roof.
Some of their relatives are young and this increases the sense of integration
to life and the possibilities of mutual help. The young people work inside and
outside, they get the prescriptions for the elderly, they help, go with their
old relatives to the physician, and most important, they generate income for
the family.
Each family is autonomous and responsible for its own apartment and food.
This is not a refuge or a prison with bars, everybody has his own budget,
his own meals and schedules, and gets out whenever he or she wants.
There is total independence for each human being for a normal life.
With the advantage of having friends and common projects, nobody is forced
to participate in parties, games, activities or works. We have observed that
these families are very enthusiastic about these social activities and nobody
stays home, except the sick.
This system of not depending on an institution for food and meals,
schedules, clothes, laundry, etc, helps people to stay young and sprightful,
our eldest citizens are vital, they keep their mental and physical health without
being monitored like prisoners. However there is strong solidarity with the
neighbors in case of sickness, chirurgy, or emergencies.
If someones has a project of life, then every day new hopes are born,
that means a young spirit, and a feeling of being useful and a participant of
life. This place is not to wait for Death but to long for Life.
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Photos : You have to look very carefully for the white 'arepas' or they will soon be burnt. The arepas are constantly turned and the natilla has to be stired so that the mixture doesn't stick to the pan and be also burnt.
A little help can work miracles for the Elderly. But, in other towns we have
built housing for young couples with small children and have lent them
money to buy their own home.
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Photos : 'buñuelos' boiling in oil with a delicious smell and the musicians start to play. Food is offered to everybody and people eat too much. Christmas is time to fatten the belly in Antioquia. This type of communal parties happens in all cities in popular quarters and neighborhoods. The custom comes from small villages and hamlets, since peasant share in Christmas.
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The party gives us a sense or participation and union, solidarity and spirituality, we care for others and neighbors. We also pray while looking at the nativities at these wonderful time of the year.
If we can communicate, then we build a better and more human World.
Perhaps, we can learn from those that have endured economic and health
hardships. They give example to us everyday, each day is a triumph of
faith, hope and joy.
Union, Solidarity, Togetherness : We can give meaning to our existence.
Please click here for your message : E-mail to Dulazar
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To share Experiences ( and Photos ) :
Dulazar Corporation helps those that need a house. Ideal of Solidarity. History |
Dulazar Corporation, Medellín, Colombia
Designed and Edited by Vicente Duque
Designed and Edited by Vicente Duque