Explore the fascinating culture of Nicaragua
The culture of Nicaragua is somewhat varied in different regions due to the different influences that were exerted on these different parts of the country. For the most part, the majority of the people show a strong Spanish influence. However there are other parts of the country that are more influenced by the English culture.
Initially, the western half of the country was colonized by Spain. This means that the people living here were greatly influenced by the Spanish culture and as a result have a similar culture to other Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. Spanish is their first language and they practice Catholicism. But the culture is not without native influences and the current culture, which is practiced amongst the present day mestizos, is a mixture of both Spanish and native Indian culture.
On the other hand the eastern half of the country was once a British protectorate and thus the influence exerted here on the native peoples was strongly English. Most people from these regions still speak English as a first language and the Protestant religion is favored over Catholicism. However, more people in the country practice the Catholic faith than the Protestant one. The culture on the Atlantic side of the country is closer to that found in the Caribbean side and there are a large number of people who bear African descent as well as a small Garinagu population.
In the eastern half of the country you will find a small group that has remained ethnically distinct from the rest of the country. They have managed to maintain many of their tribal customs and languages and prove to be quite intriguing to visitors who are interested in finding out more about other cultures. Among these are the Sumos and Ramas people.
The mixture of Catholicism and native customs has resulted in a strong culture of fiestas based on the honoring of certain saints. Every city in Nicaragua has its own patron saint. Some towns even share their saints with other towns. Besides giving these saints gifts in exchange for blessings, such as finding a mate or ensuring a healthy crop, the people of Nicaragua engage in annual festivities in their honor. The fiestas are a time of joy and fun and usually begin with a parade wherein a statue of the saint is displayed. Traditional dances, plays and ceremonies can also be part of these festivities. Rockets and firecrackers are exploded and drinking and feasting add to the merriment. The public is kept entertained by musicians and clowns and the festivities only die down in the early hours of daylight the following morning.
User Comments & Reviews
2010-03-11 00:03:23
is beautiful nicaragua!
2010-02-24 21:08:03
I think that if get to go to Nicaragua you'll like it,its a nice place you get to meet new people and make friends.Last year I met a girl from Boaco and she's a litlle crazy but still a nice person.I lived in Nicaragua for 3 years and I really recomend that if want to go some where some time in your life to go to Nicaragua its one of the biggest country in Centro America and one of the poorest.You can buy cute things and you'll love the traditional dances and its culture.
2010-02-16 13:06:36
To Elle and Anon: I met Yaoska in Granada, Nicaragua a few years ago along with several other poets and many other Nicaraguans of amazing talent. I left the country convinced of how much it has to offer and how much we can learn from it. In just the few days I was there, I discovered an immense source of inspiration. One thing was clear: there is something unique about Yaoska’s poetry that makes it HER’S. Through a very close friend, many years ago I became familiar with Flavio Tijerino’s writings and poetry, and although I never had the privilege of knowing him personally, I also admire his uniqueness and talent. It is obvious that there are no similarities whatsoever between the works of these two poets. Stating the contrary is just plain fallacy, which I sense, is probably moved by bitterness and a great deal on envy. Here is my advice: achète-toi une vie. Mots amers, nada mas.
2010-02-09 15:08:49
i was wondering if it was possible for you to share any websites where i can continue reading about the school system in nicaragua,,?
2010-01-26 09:57:14
creo que alguien olvido al heroico andres castro al gran alfonzo cortes , rafaela herrera , jose santos zelaya , emiliano chamorro y al expresidente q e p d depresidentes al dr RENE SCHICK ESPADAFORA
2009-12-28 00:53:26
I was wondering if it was possible for you to share any websites where I can continue reading about the school system in Nicaragua.
2009-12-09 03:02:35
Alexis Arguello is missing from this list. At least he is mentioned at famousnicaraguans.com with all of the other people on this list even though he is not in the top 10. Three time champion and one of the hardest hitters ever.
2009-12-04 06:19:17
There is a striking similarity between poems by Yaoska Tijerino and those by Flavio C. Tijerino, a great poet whom she was close with.
2009-12-04 02:52:30
Yaoska is NOT a poet, she ripped those poems off someone else. Someone close to her.
2009-11-29 22:01:13
Hola Oscar Luis Enrique was never a merenguero he is a salsero (el principe the la salsa)
2009-11-23 06:38:23
Algo escueto el articulo, pero es un comienzo.Solo queria agregar algunos nombres, se que hay mas pero estos son algunos para agregar:Historicos-Cacique Nicarao,Miguel de Larreynaga,la familia Somoza,Augusto Cesar Sandino,Daniel Ortega;Deportes-Alexis Arguello y Denis Martinez;Musica-Carlos Mejia Godoy y Enrique Mejia Godoy,Luis Enrique(el merenguero);Literatura-Ruben Dario,Pablo Antonio Cuadra,Sergio Ramirez Mercado,Ernesto Cardenal,Gioconda Belli y Michelle Najlis.
2009-11-22 22:25:28
I am supposed to do a Nicaragua project for Social Studies ( World Geography) I think that this website is good for the culture. Thank You
2009-10-30 02:35:27
nicaragua is a nice country to visit
2009-10-11 04:31:36
agree, not proud of the ex-president feature on this article, but to those who were born in the country, left at an early age and want to know or find out as much as the y can from their country of origin this article are welcome. Those who have the knowledge should share it so our history, acomplishment and pride should not go unknown. I don't want to go on in ignorance. thank you.
2009-10-03 17:33:26
There are many "Celebrities" that were not mentioned. Never knew that the president was considered a "Celebrity," if so then we should be mentioning all the past presidents that have served the country.
2009-09-26 22:42:52
many of these people are very brve to do such things
2009-09-23 15:11:31
i love this web site
2009-09-18 17:54:44
mi escuela se llamas panama
2009-09-10 22:17:12
mi escuela se llama nicaragua
2009-09-02 00:42:51
Some of these called "celebrities" are related to the sandinista party. The only true famous celebrity here is Ruben Dario (Felix Ruben Garcia Sarmiento), father of the spanish litterature, and ,maybe, Augusto Nicolas Calderon Sandino (this is his real name). You forgot the few nicaraguan that have achieved greta perfomances in sports, and in many cultural performances.
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