Nicaragua is getting greener and greener as the rains begin to arrive in earnest. Nicaragua is also turning white and blue during this patriotic month, so the rains won’t disturb the festivities, parties and celebrations.
After five years in the land of lakes, volcanoes and waves, we’ve become accustomed to some suspicious noises. From local explosives at Christmas parties to trance-like evangelical religious chants, this month we’ll be lulled by the sound of drums and pots and pans.
Although we’re located 1 kilometer from the baseball stadium in the small village where we live, the wind brings back the sounds of the festivities held at the « estadio », the nerve center of the community’s festivities and gatherings.
It took me a while to understand this notion of « patriotic month »: is it a holiday? The whole month?
« En serio », I said to myself. I’ve been watching the school dance at this time of year, and it’s all about being ready and « listo » for September 15, Independence Day.
I take note. The percussionists and dancers don’t need to warm up; it’s already hot enough when the conductor orders the marching order. It’s almost military. Boom, zing, boom. On and on it goes until the chorus is complete, or until the village madman arrives to perform a curiously hot and sensual dance in front of the orchestra. The whole village will be ready, and so will Nicaragua. Like many countries in the region, Nicaragua will be celebrating the end of the Spanish occupation.
« It’s okay, it’s Tuesday el dia de la independancia! » I’d noted in the calendar. I had learned a few years ago that the local government was likely to lengthen or shorten certain weekends, just to celebrate, I think. We’re not talking about populism, but nationalism. I’m reminded that the 14th is a holiday too! « I had completely forgotten about the Battle of San Jacinto, which took place a few years after the national liberation from the Iberian yoke. San Jacinto is the local hero who knocked out a new mercenary invader. It was the first time that Nicaraguan national unity had been reawakened: a whole people, despite the political turmoil associated with independence, had come together and followed the battle closely. The last opportunists, and in particular the buccaneers of Nicaragua’s trade and traffic, had to be driven out once and for all. In the end, there are few archives or local stories to tell about this period, and I’m not sure that the event was covered by the media at the time, so let’s leave it to legend. I was simply relieved that independence and the anniversary of an epic battle offered my neighbors two days off. They’re fishermen, they’ll go to the water in any case. I received a few words and smiles, wishing me a happy Independence Day, as if I were part of the brass band.
