While Epiphany may be celebrated in churches in the United States on the 6th of January, it is celebrated with stronger traditions in other parts of the world. In 2012 and 2008 I had the opportunity to celebrate the day in Emsland, Germany where small (and sometimes large) nativity scenes are built be it of wood or colorful paper cut with frills. The small nativity scenes, known as Tunscheere, are dropped off on doorsteps of friends and family while ringing the doorbell and running away. In that sense resembling the May Day tradition in the US.
Here I was treated to my first Peruvian Epiphany. The city is filled with parades of shepherds and wise men (aka the "wizard kings" if one is to translate their name literally). The participants play drums, tambourines, trumpets and clarinets to Christmas tunes to share their joy that Christ has been revealed to the world. Even horses are present in the ever mismatched backdrop this city displays. "Feliz Navidad" rang out for all to hear!
Interestingly enough, Peru's capital city, Lima, was first called "Ciudad de los Reyes" (City of the Kings) by Francisco Pizarro when he and two others found the ideal location for a Spanish city on the 6th of January.
Here I was treated to my first Peruvian Epiphany. The city is filled with parades of shepherds and wise men (aka the "wizard kings" if one is to translate their name literally). The participants play drums, tambourines, trumpets and clarinets to Christmas tunes to share their joy that Christ has been revealed to the world. Even horses are present in the ever mismatched backdrop this city displays. "Feliz Navidad" rang out for all to hear!
Interestingly enough, Peru's capital city, Lima, was first called "Ciudad de los Reyes" (City of the Kings) by Francisco Pizarro when he and two others found the ideal location for a Spanish city on the 6th of January.
No comments:
Post a Comment