At the end of the year, the country dresses in different colors and celebrates the holidays in different ways, according to the region and culture.
The "Branch" is used from Tampico to the south of the state of Veracruz and consists of decorating a tree branch with ribbons, chains made of colored paper strips, lanterns and small clay figures representing nativity figures. A group of young people play music and carry the "branch" from house to house and, singing, ask for their Christmas bonus. The very naive verses are largely improvised, others, such as those reproduced here, have been recorded over time.
GO OUTSIDE / YOU WILL SEE WHAT FIRST / YOU WILL SEE THE BRANCH / COVERED WITH FLOWERS /.
THIS IS THE RAMITA / CUTE CHRISTMAS / COMES TO VISIT HIM / TO HIS GOOD HOME /.
THE BRANCH ALREADY ARRIVED / IT COMES FROM THE EAST / IT COMES PROCLAMING / FOR THE INNOCENT /.
FOR EVE / CHRISTMAS / OUR GUIDE WAS BORN / WHAT HAPPINESS /.
THE VIRGIN MARY / WILL ALSO ENJOY / THE LORD JOSÉ / WILL ACCOMPANY HER /.
GIVE ME MY AGUINALDO / IF THEY WILL GIVE IT TO ME / THE NIGHT IS SHORT / WE HAVE TO WALK /.
THE BRANCH IS GOING / VERY ANGRY / BECAUSE IN THIS HOUSE / THEY DIDN'T GIVE HIM ANYTHING /
THE BRANCH IS ALREADY / VERY GRATEFUL / BECAUSE IN THIS HOUSE / IT WAS WELL RECEIVED /.
ALREADY THE BRANCH IS GOING WITH A LOT OF JOY / LIKE THE ONE THAT HAD / THE VIRGIN MARY /.
Each verse is sung with the following chorus:
“ORANGES AND LIMES / LIMES AND LEMONS / THE VIRGIN IS MORE PRETTY / THAN ALL FLOWERS.
The songs continue throughout the night and in most houses the applicants receive a coin, a sweet or a little food. … IN OTHER PLACES
Another custom is from the center of the country, the city of Querétaro, where there are colorful processions with mojigangas and floats that represent various biblical scenes live, accompanied by music, songs and performances. In front of the carts go the Holy Pilgrims, mounted on donkeys.
Finally, in the southeast, in Oaxaca, the party is big. On December 18, the Virgen de la Soledad, patron saint of the city, is celebrated. Since the previous days, you can see every night the 'calendas', processions from different parts of the state, announcing the party; Dressed in their different dresses, from each region, women, men and children parade, carrying lanterns, figures made from immortelle flowers and lit candles.
On the night of the 23rd, figures made of radishes are exhibited in the central square, such as: men and women, on foot or on horseback, flowers, animals of all kinds, airplanes and even satellite launch towers. There are usually prizes for the most original pieces and then visitors can buy the figures that they like the most.
Another unique custom in Oaxaca is the sale of buñuelos, where each customer, at the end, breaks his plate; This should be done by throwing it over your shoulder and supposedly brings good luck for the year to come. This reminds us of pre-Hispanic Mexico where it was customary, at the end of the year to break all the household dishes and, upon receiving the new fire that was lit on the hill of the star, pottery was released.
