The wealth of cultural expression in Honduras owes its origins primarily to being a part of Latin America but also to the multi-ethnic nature of the country. The population comprises 90% Mestizo, 7% Amerindian, 2% Black and 1% Caucasian.
This influences all aspects of the culture: customs, practices, ways of dressing, religion, rituals, codes of behavior and belief systems.
Popular Culture
Popular culture in Honduras, as in most countries, is expressed not so much through sophisticated artistic creations, but rather by popular events that draw big crowds. In Honduras, such artistic and cultural events are held on specific days of the year and through special celebrations.
They have a special kind of dance and music the Hondurans hold proudly and have gatherings to sing and dance; they call it “punta”.
Some of Honduras’ national holidays include Honduras Independence Day on 15 September and Children’s Day or Día del Niño, which is celebrated in homes, schools and churches on 10 September; on this day, children receive presents and have parties similar to Christmas or birthday celebrations. Some neighborhoods have piñatas on the street.
Honduras Independence Day festivities start early in the morning with marching bands. Each band wears different colors and features cheerleaders. Fiesta Catracha takes place this same day: typical Honduran foods such as beans, tamales, baleadas, cassava with chicharron, and tortillas are offered.
On Christmas Eve, the people reunite with their families and close friends to have dinner, then give out presents at midnight. In some cities fireworks are seen and heard at midnight. On New Year’s Eve there is food and “cohetes”, fireworks and festivities.
Birthdays are also great events, and include the famous “piñata” which is filled with candies and surprises for the children invited.
La Feria Isidra is celebrated in La Ceiba at the end of May. La Ceiba is a city located in the east coast. It is usually called “The Friendship Carnival”. People from all over the world come for one week of festivities.
Every night there is a little carnaval (carnavalito) in a neighborhood. Finally, on Saturday there is a big parade with floats and displays with people from Brazil, New Orleans, Japan, Jamaica, Barbados and many other countries. This celebration is also accompanied by the Milk Fair, where many Hondurans come to show off their farm products and animals.
The Feria Juniana (June Fair) of San Pedro Sula includes different musical concerts performed throughout the week. Visitors can also attend sporting events and a variety of exhibitions.
Puerto Cortés celebrates its fair in August with a “Venice” theme which includes parades of gondolas and other boats in the bay, and an evening fireworks display launched from boats.
Being a predominantly Catholic country, Honduras gives special attention to the celebrations of Holy Week. In some regions of the country, such as Comayagua, Choluteca, Copán and Intibucá, processions are held, especially during Thursday and Good Friday.
Through these events, Hondurans commemorate the sacrifice they believe Jesus Christ made for humanity by reenacting the events that happened during the week between Palm Sunday and Jesus Christ crucifixion. The most outstanding event is the creation of the sawdust carpets.
Peopel will decorate the trail where Jesus will walk through (to his crucifixion) to make the walk less painful for Christ. Some people — particularly the inhabitants of the North and South Coast — use this week as an opportunity to visit beaches, rivers and swimming pools, due to the stifling heat that reigns during this time of year.
Hondurans celebrate Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve on the 24th and 31 December respectively. During these celebrations, the majority of Honduran homes cook special dishes to mark the occasion. Favorites include tamales wrapped with banana leaves, roast pigs’ legs, and pastries. All of these celebrations are complemented at the end of the night with fireworks and firecrackers.
Other celebrations of special interest to Hondurans include Mothers’ Day, Children’s Day, Labor Day, Teachers’ Day and Friendship Day.
Folklore
Legends and fairy tales are paramount within the Honduras culture; Lluvia de Peces (Fish Rain) is an example of this. The legend of El Cadejo and La Ciguanaba (La Sucia) are also popular.
Ethnic Cultures
About 6% of the Honduran population are indigenous people sub-divided into small groups as follows: Lenca, Xicaques, Miskitos, Payas, the Ch’orti’, and others.
Lenca Culture
During the Spanish invasion of the 16th century, the Lenca organized a decade-long war of resistance. Chief Lempira, one of the most important Honduran heroes, was from the Lenca tribe. His death at the hands of Rodrigo Ruiz allowed the conquest of the final part of Honduran territory by the Spanish.
The Lencas have lost their language and the majority of their religious practices. However, they still make peace agreements in the traditional way, offer gifts to their ancestral gods, and some of their original forms of dress are still preserved.
Basic nutrition comes from grains, especially corn, from which they produce a drink called “Chicha”. Pottery is also an important cultural element for the Lencas artistically and economically.