CULTURAL SCRAPBOOK –NICARAGUA-By: Gisela Lopez

POPULATION

There are about 6 million people living in Nicaragua according to the 2010 census

Nearly 1/3 of Nicaragua's population lives in Managua

Nicaragua is growing approximately 1.784% every year

State Capitol Building

POPULATION (CONT.)

There are about 23 births for every 1,000 people in Nicaragua

Death rate is about 4 people for every 1,000

Life expectancy for males 69 and for females 74

ETHNIC MAKEUP

69% of all Nicaraguan’s are Mestizos, a mix between Amerindian and White

17% are White 9% are Black 5% are Amerindian

Amerindian

LANGUAGE

Nicaragua’s official language is Spanish

98% of all Nicaraguan’s speak Spanish

2% speak Miskito On the Atlantic

coast English and indigenous languages like Miskito are spoken

LANGUAGE (CONT.)

Bible in English Bible in Miskito

RELIGION

About 60% of Nicaraguan’s belong to the Roman Catholic Church

22% are Evangelical 2% are Moravian 1% are Jehovah's

Witness 2% belong to other

religions About 16% do not

belong to any religion Magua’s old cathedral

RELIGION (CONT.)

Evangelical church

Moravian church

GREETINGS AND GESTURES

Nicaraguan’s are very friendly and welcoming

The most common way to greet a person is with a hand shake

Women often kiss on one or both cheeks while embracing

GREETINGS AND GESTURES (CONT.)

A common phrase when greeting someone is, hola (hi), this is especially true for teenagers

It is customary to greet everyone in the room individually

When speaking with someone they might stand closer to you, also eye contact is very important

Eye Contact

RITES OF PASSAGE

A baptism ceremony for a newly born is very important, god parents that are chosen at that time are expected to concern themselves with the welfare of the child and aid them in times of hardship

RITES OF PASSAGE (CONT.)

A child receiving first communion, usually at the age of nine, receives many gifts

RITES OF PASSAGE (CONT.)

A girl’s 15th birthday is a time for a special celebration, it is like saying that she has com of age, among the middle and upper classes, dating does not begin until later

HOLIDAYS

New Year’s Day-January 1st

Air Force Day-February 1st (In honor of the men in the nation’s air force)

Holy Thursday Holy Friday

New Year’s

HOLIDAYS (CONT.)

Easter Labor Day-May 1st Army Day-May 27th

Revolution Day-July 19th (Anniversary of the day the National Liberation Army declared victory over the Somoze dictatorship) Revolution Day

HOLIDAYS (CONT.) Fiesta Day-August 1st

(Honors their patron, Saint Domingo)

San Jacinto Day-September 14th (Anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto in 1856)

Independence Day-September 15th (Commemorates the declaration of independence of Central America in 1821)

Battle of San Jacinto

FOOD

Famous plates; Gallo pinto, Nacatamal, Vigorón, Indio Viejo, Quesillo, Sopa de Mondongo

Gallo Pinto

DRINKS

Favorite drinks are; Arroz-con-Piña, Chicha-de Maíz

Arroz-con-Piña

DESSERTS

Favorite desserts are; Tres Leches, Cajeta de Coco, Rosquillas

Tres Leches

CLOTHING

Women typically wear simple cotton dresses

Men wear work shirts, jeans, sneakers or sandals, and straw hats

Cotton Dress

CLOTHING (CONT.)

Businessmen often wear sports shirts of leave off their jackets in hot weather, instead they wear the guayabera (a long cotton shirt)

Guayabera

SPORTS AND RECREATION

In Nicaragua the most popular sport is baseball

Other popular sports are boxing, basketball, volleyball, and water sports

Festivals are an important aspect of public life

Baseball

SPORTS AND RECREATION (CONT.)

Events included in a festival are; cockfighting, bull riding, and bull baiting

Going to theaters and dancing in clubs are also popular

Youth clubs for socializing is also another thing that is becoming more popular

Bull Riding

ARTS

Earthenware (clay pottery)

Hammocks Baskets Mats Embroidery Leatherwork Coral jewelry Carved and painted

gourds and dolls

Coral Jewelry

ARTS (CONT.)

Painted Gourd

Earthenware

THE END