10 Cultural Manifestations of Venezuela

The Cultural manifestations of Venezuela , Music and Venezuelan folk dances are influenced by the costumes, traditions and religious beliefs of the three races that constitute the population of Venezuela as a whole: white, Indian and black.

Popular dances are largely the product of Creole culture . However, typical Indian dances and other samples of almost pure African origins can still be found in some areas.

Venezuelan cultural events can be found in every corner

The origin of the Musical instruments venezolanos Goes back to indigenous, European and African cultures. These three cultures have greatly influenced popular music.

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Indians used flutes made of bones, clay whistles, trumpets of shells and maracas. During the Spanish colonization and the arrival of the African slaves, several instruments were incorporated into the tradition of popular music like the cuatro (a small four-string guitar), violin, guitar and drums.

10 cultural events in Venezuela

1- The joropo

10 Cultural Manifestations of Venezuela

As is the national dance of Venezuela, it is performed all over the country. It is a dance with lively, joyful and syncopated music; Of Spanish and Venezuelan origin in sentiment. It is a dance for couples and has up to thirty-six variants of the basic steps. Musical accompaniment is provided by the four, maracas and a harp.

2- The arepa

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Arepa is a type of food made from ground corn masa or pre-cooked flour. This dough can be roasted, cooked, fried, boiled or steamed, however, arepa is flat and rounded and is usually cooked roasted or fried. Its characteristics vary according to the color, flavor, size and food with which it can be filled, depending on the region.

Most Venezuelans eat arepas daily, since they can be tasted as breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner because of the amount of fillings that can be served.

Among the fillings or companions we find: white or yellow cheese, ham, avocado, egg, black beans, chicken and shredded beef, sausage and different types of fish.

The Venezuelan arepa has its origins thousands of years ago in the diverse indigenous tribes of the whole country. Its name comes from the indigenous word erepa, which means corn bread.

Initially they were made with corn, nowadays they are prepared with precooked white corn flour.

In 1950, the areperas (restaurants whose main menu are arepas) were few and far between, since arepas were eaten mainly at home as a companion to foods served or stuffed with only cheese or ham. With the spread of the areperas increased the popularity of stuffed arepas and the increasing availability of precooked corn flour.

3- The Liquiliqui and espadrilles

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The liqui liqui is the national costume for men in Venezuela. However, it is also used in Colombia. Traditionally it is white, beige or cream; Although it is also found in other colors.

Recently, many Venezuelans and various famous personalities of Venezuela have used liquiliqui for their weddings, in a revival of the traditional style of dress. The singer and composer of Venezuelan popular music, Simón Diaz, was known to use almost always a liquiliqui.

The liquiliqui is traditionally made of linen or cotton cloth, although you can wear gabardine and wool. The suit consists of a pair of long pants and a jacket. The jacket has long sleeves, the neck is rounded (Nehru style) and is fastened and decorated by a"joint"(twin-like chain loop) that joins the two ends of the neck.

The jacket is fastened with five or six buttons, and may or may not have pockets (if so, not more than four). In general, the set is very simple with clean and elegant lines. Traditionally, the liquiliqui is used with espadrilles (open-toed sandals) and a"llanero"hat.

Due to the style of the neck, it is said that the liquiliqui was brought to Venezuela from the Philippines, although this is uncertain. The most accepted version is that the liquiliqui is derived from the uniform of the soldiers of the colonial era, whose jacket or"liquette"had a similar form - hence the name and the collar.

4 - Venezuelan Legends

Skeleton inside a car representing one of the typical Venezuelan legends

The Most Popular Urban Legends of Venezuela

  • The squeaky

This legend tells the story of a beautiful young woman named Melissa, who was married to a loving husband and with whom she had a son. One day, when Melissa bathed in the river, a man told her that her husband was having an affair with Melissa's mother.

Arriving home found the husband sleeping with the baby in his arms, but blinded by the rage burned the house with his loved ones inside her. He took a machete and when he got to his mother's house he cut the belly until it died bled. Before she died, her mother cursed her like a vengeful spirit in search of unfaithful men.

From that moment the legend tells that she walks the roads taking the form of a young and desirable woman in search of solitary men seduces them in remote areas where, during or after sex, reveals their miserable form and kills men Or cut off your genitals.

  • La Llorona

It tells the story of a beautiful woman who threw her children into the river after discovering that her husband had left her for a younger woman. Realizing what he had done, he drowned in the river, but as punishment he is not allowed to enter the sky until he finds his lost children, so he wanders on the ground crying and looking futilely at his children.

  • The Silbon

It tells the story of the spirit of a man who gutted his father after he killed his wife because, according to the father, all women were vagabondas and the only thing they deserved was death. After killing his father, the grandfather tied the man to a tree, whipped him and threw him to two hungry dogs, but not before cursing him.

Grandfather cursed him so that he would wander for eternity carrying the bones of his father. Now the spirit runs the earth, continually whistling and looking for bones to add to its collection. If you hear his murmur nearby, there is nothing to fear, if you hear him away, he is right next to you.

5- Carnivals of Carúpano

Carnivals in Carúpano (a city in northeastern Venezuela) attract more than 400,000 visitors each year due to the extravagance of music and dances that take place in every corner of the city.

These carnivals are characterized by caravans, disguises, music and the joy of people.

6- Holy Week

10 Cultural Manifestations of Venezuela

During Holy Week many believers come to the city to be present at various events:

  1. In the blessing of the palm leaves on Palm Sunday in Chacao.
  2. In the procession of parishioners who walk from the Basilica of Santa Teresa to the Plaza de Caracas.
  3. In the tour of the 7 temples.
  4. In the theatrical representations that symbolize the betrayal of Judas and the crucifixion of Jesus.
  5. And finally, the burning of Judas, a tradition that symbolizes popular justice.

7- Dancing devils of Yare

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The dancing devils of Yare (men disguised in grotesque devil masks, red robes, rosaries, crosses and maracas) begin their traditional battle against the forces of justice on Corpus Christi Day, is one of the most colorful and unique ceremonies of the Christian world.

The result of the battle is also traditional, justice triumphs, but not until after a whole day of strenuous opposition by Satan's followers.

8- Fiesta of San Juan

10 Cultural Manifestations of Venezuela 4 Image via: turpialtravel.com

Mainly it is a Christian festival in honor to the birth of San Juan Bautista. It takes place from June 23 to 25, three exciting days of African drums that resonate between the coastal cities of Venezuela.

On the second day a solemn mass is celebrated where the participants wave colorful handkerchiefs and sing improvised verses to the beat of the drum. This holiday culminates in the"magic night of San Juan", the last night, when the fervent party lasts until the following morning.

9- Chinita Fair

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On November 18, the bustling Venezuelan city of Maracaibo celebrates the feast of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá. The 10-day jubilee is led by a beautiful festival queen and is characterized by music, parades, games and stories of folklore.

10- Christmas

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In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated under the realization of diverse religious and traditional customs. As a predominantly Catholic country, the holiday celebrates the birth of the baby Jesus. The religious celebrations begin on December 16 with the masses every morning until December 24, when the service is celebrated at midnight (Mass of Rooster).

The main celebration takes place on Christmas Eve. Families gather to enjoy traditional festive food: hallacas (tamales stuffed with beef stew, pork, chicken and / or chicken), ham bread (long bread stuffed with cooked ham, raisins and olives), salad Hen, ham and sweet of sweetness (dessert made of green papaya and brown sugar).

Many households place a Christmas tree in their dining rooms, however, the most authentic Venezuelan custom is to exhibit a birth or manger with the Nativity scene.

On December 25 children wake up to find their gifts around the crib or Christmas tree. In tradition it is said that it is the Child Jesus who brings gifts to Venezuelan children instead of Santa Claus.

Music plays an important role in celebrations. The traditional songs of this period are called aguinaldos. In the old days the aguinalderos went from house to house singing their songs and playing traditional instruments like cuatro, maracas and furruco (small drum and elongated with a wooden stick in the center).

The Christmas holidays come to an official closure on January 6, the day of the Three Kings (the three wise kings who came to visit Mary and the baby Jesus), when the children receive toys and candy again. Christmas is, above all, the main festival during which the Venezuelan families Meet and rejoice.

References

  1. Blazes M. Masarepa - Precooked corn flour for making arepas (2015). Retrieved from: www.thespruce.com
  2. Dinneen M. Culture and customs of Venezuela (2001). Connecticut: Greenwood Press.
  3. López A. Bringing the arepa to the world (2015). Retrieved from: www.picapica.com
  4. Moreno C. The most terrifying latin urban legends (2015). Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com
  5. Nichols E, Morse K. Venezuela (2010). California: ABC-CLIO.
  6. Sturgers-Vera K. Orchids of Venezuela (2005). USA: Virtual Book Worm Publishing Inc.
  7. Tarver H, Frederick J. The history of Venezuela (2005). Connecticut: Greenwood Press.


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