I was hoping someone would have heard of los ninos de la tierra, I'm wondering if what my friend told me was family lore, I lost touch with her years ago or I'd ask her. When I was growing up we (my brothers and sisters and I) were told if we weren't good the earth would open up and swallow us. There is a book by Tomas Rivera titled, "Y No Se Lo Trago La Tierra", (And the Earth Did not Swallow Him) If you haven't read it, I recommend it, though it may be out of print. The copy I have has both english and spanish translations.
These are very interesting....I left Puerto Rico when I was 11 but I don't recollect any...We used to hear a lot about Juan Bobo..a character who used to get over on people by playing dumb. You are making me think...I will dig around. My memories consist of going to a lot of Masses in the country chapels and going to different houses to pray on the "Visits of the Blessed Virgin". A custom of having a small wooden monument with a beautiful picture of the Blessed Mother and it used to be moved from house to house and the neighbors took turns in "Receiving" and "Hosting" the Virgin. Each night of the move there was a lot of singing of Hymns and the Rosary. Wow...the memories you kicked up! Nothing like like remembering our past and our traditions. Thank you.
posted by ibero
over 2 years ago
Pablo I forgot to ask my mom about the Ninos de la Tierra. If it was told to us she would remember. My parents are both in their 80's. I will ask her and let you know. Ibero as for the Virgin, it is still done here in the city. The Virgin de Guadalupe which is the patron saint of the Mejicanos is brought to different homes and churches and a novena is prayed before her. SA houses a very large Latino Community so we still celebrate in the old ways. The PR community hosts a big celebration for El Dia de los Reyes Magos with the traditional PR food. The Mexican community celebrates everyweekend for any reason. :-) This weekend the city is having it's Folk life festival for all the different ethnicites to display their foods and cultural dances etc. Our beautiful Latino cultlure is emerging everywhere.
posted by qvo50
over 2 years ago
ibero, they used to do that with the Virgin too as I recall.
I think they did it during the month of May, the traditional Month of Mary...(but not quite sure about that)
