POSADAS

LAS POSADAS ARE FIESTAS THAT BEGIN ON THE 16TH END ON THE 24TH OF DECEMBER. IN MEXICO, DURING THIS PERIOD, THERE ARE MANY POSADAS EVERY EVENING.

BOTH INVITED AND NON-INVITED AUESTS GATHER AT A NEIGHBORS HOUSE WHERE THE POSADA IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN THE EVENING. THEY ARE THEN DIVIDED

INTO TWO GROUPS. ONE GROUP GOES OUTSIDE THE HOUSE WITH CANDLES,THAT ARE LIT, AND PAPERS WITH THE VERSE:EN EL NOMBRE DEL CIELO OS PIDO POSADA, PUES NO PUEDE ANDAR MI ESPOSA AMADA. THE GROUP INSIDE ANSWERS BACK SINGING :ADVI NO ES MESON;SIGAN ADLANTE. YOU NO PUEDO ABRIR NO SEA ALAUN TRUNANTE. THEY ARE DRESSED UP ASVIRAIN MARY AND JOSEPH. SOMETIMES THEY HAVE A''BURRO.''AND THEYWALK WITH CANDLES

DURING THE REST OF THE PARTY WE BREAK PINATAS AND WE EAT THE TRADITIONAL THING; BUNUELOSCOLACION,TAMALES, AND PONCHE.