The place or establishment that welcomes people who travel outside their usual place or are passing through, and in which they can sleep and eat, is known as an inn. Usually these locations are located on routes away from the cities, which serve as meeting places for travelers and locals. Currently there are some hotels that are called posadas due to their size; since the posadas have few rooms and provide basic services. The word posada comes from the participle "to pose" and this from the Latin "pausare" which means to stop.
What is an inn
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The definition of inn indicates that it is a hotel-type establishment, which is characterized mainly by having a great tradition in the hostel of people. At the beginning these enclosures were buildings for the lodging of people where food and drink were included, in addition to the place where they slept, as well as representing a space to be able to leave the load, belongings and the horses that will accompany them on the trip.
But it was not until the 19th century that these kinds of places began to be modernized, this in order to be able to adapt to the requirements of travelers, to the point that today it is possible to find inns with luxurious spaces for lodging.. Nowadays the concept of posada is synonymous with ideal family vacation spots, which are located in old buildings that have been reconditioned, which makes them more attractive for tourists.
Historically the origin of the inns is centuries before, at the time of the Roman Empire, when the Romans built their famous road system; This is why in Europe there are inns that are many years old, as many cultures adopted this system or alternative.
At present the inns are established all over the world and are part of the hotel and tourist offer of the nations. Various sources state that in ancient times, before the creation of the automobile and motorcycle, an inn was that place in which peasants, travelers or merchants were allowed to lodge or lodge in order to feed and rest, in exchange of money.
Another meaning of the word posada is to describe the fact of giving shelter, lodging or lodging to a person. On the other hand, the case that is composed of a spoon, fork and knife, which is carried in the bag or backpack when going on the road or trip, is also called posada. And finally in Sardinia, Italy there is a town in Asturias, Spain, a village with that name.
Mexican hotel industry
What is a Mexican Christmas inn
On the other hand, in Mexico the concept of posada refers to a holiday of the Christmas season, in which it is a tradition to pray 9 days, which begins from December 16 to 24 of the same month, this in commemoration of the 9 months before the birth of Jesus. Each day of celebration has a different meaning and they are humility, strength, detachment, charity, trust, justice, purity, joy and generosity, generally in Mexico there is a tradition of celebrating it in the streets, together with the residents of the community, usually each block is assigned the realization of one of the 9 posadas.
The definition of posada in Mexico is linked to religion, since during the 9 days of the posadas people usually pray, recite Christmas carols and sing the song for posada so popular in those days, also the hamlets make punches and offer fruits such as mandarin oranges, sweets and peanuts, without leaving aside the famous Mexican piñatas full of goodies.
Usually there is a person who is in charge of organizing the group known as " shepherds ", made up of between 10 and 20 children, even more, these are formed in a couple of rows, one for children and another for girls, the first couple is called captain and captain. On the night of Christmas Eve, the group of shepherds dresses in traditional garb to sing and dance during the celebration.
In the case of girls, a black corset and apron are placed on them, over it a white dress with a flower print and on their backs a hat that is decorated with paper, forming a large flower and colored strips, the hair is combed with two braids that are arranged sideways, in their right hand they must carry a rattle to sound them while they sing.
Children on the other hand, are dressed in loose shirts with an olan on the bottom edge, the most common color is white, however it can vary as long as they all match, the pants are short but bulging, very similar to the one used by the colonizers Spaniards, they also wear a hat and a rattle just like the girls and on the left shoulder they have a bow made of branches which is decorated with colored paper. After singing and dancing, each part must recite a verse, while offering a gift, this is called "pastorela"
Origin of the Christmas posadas
Regarding the origins of this tradition and the meaning of posada, there are those who affirm that it was in the year 1587 when Diego de Soria, an Augustinian friar, asked Pope Sixtus V for permission to celebrate daily masses during the 9 days before of the birth of Jesus.
The Augustinian friar was directing the Acolman monastery, located in New Spain, when he received the papal permission and it was then that the masses began to be carried out accompanied by representations of Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary asking for lodging, establishing as dates the days between on December 16 and 24 of each year, as Christmas bonuses.
The Augustinians, seeing the great spectrum of the church that was part of the Acolman convent, began to celebrate the Christmas inn with great luxuries, which attracted many people, including Creoles, Indians and Spaniards.
After the worship, a party was held in which the faithful covered their eyes with bandages, referring to "blind faith" and hit a seven-pointed piñata with a wooden stick.
The stick with which the piñata is struck represents Christian strength through communion with God and obedience. For its part, the piñata simulated the temptations of evil, its tips being the seven deadly sins, which are laziness, gluttony, lust, anger, envy, pride, and greed. This is where the tradition of piñatas with seven ends comes from. The act of breaking the piñata blindfolded is a symbol of victory over temptations and the reward was the variety of fruits and sweets that were inside the piñata and fell from the heights to delight the parishioners
There are those who establish a similarity between the festival known as the “Zacatecan relic”. If the breaking of the piñata symbolizes the breaking of the seven sins, consuming the relics of pork roast and the so-called seven soups, represents the nourishment of the body when consuming the roast and of the soul when taking the soups, thus granting the forces necessary to fight spiritually, since soups are the representation of the food of the soul through the practice of the so-called seven virtues that are opposed to the seven capital sins, these virtues are humility, chastity, generosity, patience, charity, temperance and diligence. That is the true meaning of a Mexican Christmas inn.
At present, the festivities of the Christmas inn have ceased to be in the vast majority of the regions of Mexico, celebrations of faith and have become simple pre-Christmas parties.
How to organize a Christmas inn
It is customary that after the inn is over, the dance begins, which generally lasts until dawn.
Basic elements of the posadas
There are some elements that are essential for the realization of the posadas which are mentioned below.
- Piñatas for every twenty person a piñata is recommended.
- The pilgrims: it is the name by which the statuettes of Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary, the angel who protects them from danger and the donkey on which they ride are known.
- Christmas bonuses: preferably one per person, the most common are peanuts, sweets and sweets.
- Pots for the punch and disposable glasses to serve it.
- Small sparklers, or failing that, candles can be used for postings.
- Sandwiches for the party, tamales and sweet bread.
- Books asking for posada, which include prayers, litanies, how to ask for posada and the ways in which the baby Jesus is cooed on December 24.
- Finally, tambourines, whistles, guitars or any musical instrument are needed that contribute to the joy of the party songs and the posada song.
How posadas are celebrated in Mexico
In accordance with traditions, this festival is celebrated every night from December 16 to 24, and it can be celebrated one night at the house of a different neighbor or, failing that, on the streets of the neighborhood.
During the afternoon the guests go to an open place (usually the street) together with the children dressed as shepherds, angels and in some cases as Mary and Joseph. An angel is in charge of guiding the procession, followed by the Virgin Mary and Joseph, while they are followed by the adults who carry lighted candles during the act and recite the song for posada
The pilgrims sing the song for posada asking for refuge, thus representing what Mary and Joseph did before the birth of Jesus, at the same time the hosts must sing in response to the prayers and open the doors to the guests, offering them tamales, hot punch, fritters and other traditional foods of this festival.
When do posadas 2019 begin
As indicated above, this holiday corresponds to the Christmas season, beginning on December 16 and ending on December 24 of every year, therefore the Christmas posada in 2019 are no exception, in that year it will begin on Monday, December 16 and will end on Tuesday, December 24.
Litany to ask for posadas and songs
After the daily prayer ends, which is done to ask for a lodging, the candles are distributed among the attendees, who proceed to form into two rows to walk in procession with the candles lit, this at the same time that they walk praying and singing the litany. for posada, which is none other than the so-called Litany of the Rosary to the Virgin Mary in Latin.
According to the Old Novena for posadas, it is prayed in the Latin language, however today it can be recited in Spanish as well.
At the end of each day's Prayer with his ejaculation, the candles are distributed. Attendees of the Christmas inn make two lines to walk in procession with their lit candles.
The letter for posada is as follows:
Pilgrims:
In the name of heaven
we ask for an inn
because
my beloved wife cannot walk
Hosts This
is not an inn,
go ahead,
I must
not open it, not be some scoundrel.
Pilgrim:
Don't be inhuman,
have charity for us,
the God of heaven
will reward you.
Hosts:
Now you can go
and not bother,
because if I get angry
I'm going to beat you up.
Pilgrims:
We come
from Nazareth,
I am a carpenter
named José.
Hosts:
I don't care about the name,
let me sleep,
because I tell you
that we should not open.
Pilgrims:
Posada asks you
beloved landlord,
for just one night
the queen of heaven.
Hosts:
Well, if it is a queen
who requests it , how is it that she
is so lonely at night ?
Pilgrims:
My wife is Mary, she
is queen of heaven,
and mother
of the Divine Word.
Hosts:
Are you José?
Is your wife Maria?
Come in, pilgrims
didn't know you.
Pilgrims:
God pay gentlemen for
your charity,
and may heaven fill you
with happiness.
Hosts:
Blessed is the house
that today houses
the pure virgin,
the beautiful Mary!
When they open the door, they all sing:
Among holy pilgrims, pilgrims,
welcome this corner
that, although the dwelling is poor, the dwelling,
I give it to you from the heart.
At the end the pilgrims give thanks saying:
A thousand thanks we give you
that on this
posada occasion you gave us
with a loyal heart.
We ask heaven
that this charity
rewards you by filling you
with happiness.
After the Litany for posada is finished, the final prayer of the Christmas novena is performed. Once finished, everyone present will break the traditional piñata.
