Chile traditions. Folklore and traditions - the most interesting holidays in Chile Traditional outerwear of the indigenous peoples of Chile

Most of the holidays in Chile are associated with the Catholic religious calendar. The people of Chile have much to be proud of - both their long history and impressive natural landscapes, unique culture, religious traditions and local customs. Chileans are sincere, open and cheerful people. They are ready to celebrate anytime, anywhere! There is something celebrated all year round in Chile.

Day of Saints Peter and Paul

The country is especially honored Religious holidays because the people of Chile are deeply religious people. The life of the apostles is for the Chileans a kind of example that all Christians should follow. Peter and Paul, completely different in origin, were united by a single goal: to bring the word of God to people, struggling with unbelief and ignorance. On the day of saints, people go to temples to bow to their patrons.

All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day

All Saints Day (November 1) for the inhabitants of the country is a Catholic holiday,
and the next day (November 2) is the date of commemoration of their ancestors. Residents firmly believe that today deceased relatives come to visit their homes. That is why the spirits of deceased relatives receive increased attention.

Covered in every house festive table. Delicious dishes are intended not only for guests, but also for spirits who have looked into their former homes. Along with good spirits, evil witches also come to the world of the living. In order to protect themselves from their evil jokes, the inhabitants are strenuously asking for protection from their patrons. Scary faces carved from pumpkins also decorate the houses of the inhabitants. But in order to somewhat soften the gloomy atmosphere of the holiday, the inhabitants of the country arrange comic entertainment, dedicating them to their dead ancestors.

Maritime Glory Day

Surprisingly, the Chileans celebrate the actual defeat, because sometimes losing can also become honorable. Apparently this is exactly the case.

In 1879, during the battle of Iquique, the Peruvian armored ship Huascar engaged the Chilean corvette Esmeralda. She was significantly inferior to her opponent both in size and power. Despite the captain's death, the Esmeralda's crew refused to surrender and accepted the fight. The flooded corvette, at the cost of the life of its crew, detained the enemy ship. Thanks to this, the Chilean army won the war. And on this day the whole country honors the memory of its heroes.

New Year

December is the time when residents put aside all their business and go to the coast to celebrate the beginning of the new year. Tourists also flock here. But if you prefer a traditional meeting, with frost and snow, then ski resorts are at your service.

The country has its own old beliefs revered by all residents. Quite curious and unusual
the tradition exists on Easter Island. If you are lucky enough to be the first to find a swallow egg this New Year's Eve, then you will become the most revered person in these parts. Moreover, the privileges are preserved for the whole year, until the moment when there is another lucky one.

New Year is a home holiday, and in Chile it is customary to have many children and everyone is not complete without a gift. A rich table is served in every house. Guests can enjoy hearty and aromatic dishes. Many of them, according to the preferences of the locals, are quite spicy. Well, what a holiday without local liqueurs and wonderful wines.

International Festival "Santiago a Mil"

International Festival "Santiago a Mil" or "Santiago for the Thousands"
is the largest theater festival in Chile. This festival of actors and cultural figures lasts three weeks in January in the capital of Chile - the city of Santiago. Not only in theaters there are numerous performances that are brought from many countries of the world, on the streets of Santiago a huge number of street actors and acrobats show their art. Especially colorful these days in the evening. Numerous processions of street actors with their shows go through the streets of Santiago. In these weeks, Santiago surrenders to the arms of Melpomene.

Viña del Mar Music Festival

Every year during the last week of February, Viña del Mar, a popular resort town located two hours from Santiago, hosts a Music Festival
Viña del Mar. It is the largest music festival in Chile. Not only well-known bands from all over the world, but also local folk groups perform here. Usually, various competitions are held at the festival. In 2014, the festival of arts was held for the 55th time.

Carnival Andino Con la Fuerza del Sol

Carnival Andino Con la Fuersa del Sol is also called the "Festival of the Andes with
the power of the sun." It is one of the most interesting festivals that take place in February in northern Chile in the city of Arica. It goes on for three days. The main feature of the festival is a mixture of Spanish and local, Indian culture, as well as Catholic and local religious customs. The festival brings together Chilean, Peruvian and Bolivian participants who don colorful costumes. Dance groups and brass bands sometimes compete with each other for the attention and approval of a huge audience of spectators. The festival hosts a beauty contest where the queen of the carnival is chosen.

Vi Tripantu

Vi Tripantu, or the Mapuche New Year, begins before sunrise on June 23rd and ends on
sunrise on June 24, when the recalcitrant Indians are waiting for the "new sun" that returns from the west. New Year coincides with the winter solstice. The Mapuche Indians believe that these days bring the renewal of life. Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Nuke Mapu (Mother of the People) begin new life and everything is blooming. At this time, rituals are performed where the ancestors of the Mapuche are called. The rituals are led by leaders of communities and communities.

Chileans are one of the most unusual nations on the planet. Formed on the basis of the Spanish and Indian population of this territory, it carries an abundant "admixture" of almost all the peoples of the world. There are a lot of immigrants from the British Isles, Germany, Slavic countries, but there are practically no immigrants from Africa and the countries of Southeast Asia so characteristic of other countries of South America. Each ethnic group has brought some of its own components to the Chilean culture, which is very clearly seen in the numerous "ethnic" settlements on the outskirts of the country, and most of the peoples living here carefully preserve their cultural traditions and language. And at the same time, the majority of the country's inhabitants still consider themselves Chileans.

The people here are very friendly, even the mountain Indian tribes, to whom they tried to attribute excessive cruelty in the past, are actually extremely friendly to tourists, and their natural restraint only emphasizes this aspect. Chileans are quick to help when trying to hail a car or find a suitable hotel, as well as in case of language difficulties. They speak only Spanish here, but due to the diverse ethnic composition of the local population, there will always be someone who knows English, German or even Russian.

vpervye1 | 2015

kubatian | April 2014

tanya_engel | New Year 2014

gripphon_275 | 2013

Chile

In the XVI-XVIII centuries. the upper strata of society in Chile followed the Spanish court fashions and outwardly differed sharply from the rest of the population. Separate groups of the urban population differed from each other in appearance, and it was always possible to recognize a prince, a nobleman or an ordinary citizen by clothes and weapons.

Spanish clothes were worn by wealthy Spaniards living in Chile and by high officials. In Chile, however, these garments were less opulent and darker in color than those in neighboring Peru. In folk clothing, the Chileans, like the inhabitants of many other colonies of South America, adopted individual Indian elements, the most characteristic of which was the poncho. The poncho was preserved until the end of the 19th century, it was worn to protect against rain and cold outside the city, and riders in the cities. Folk clothes have changed little since the 17th century. National men's clothing has been preserved among the so-called uaso- riders-shepherds and other agricultural workers of large estates. Once upon a time, the waso was casual: a wide and long poncho raincoat, legs made of thick woolen fabric or rawhide, wide trousers, a woven belt, a short jacket, a sombrero of different styles (depending on the area). By the end of the XIX century. this costume began to change, combining the features of the clothes of a shepherd, a mule driver and a rural nobleman. At present, sombreros are usually black, with a low, flat crown; the shirt is white, with a front folded in vertical folds. The richer people wear silk shirts, the poor wear flannel; on top they put on a very open waistcoat and a short jacket made of light or white-checkered fabric, sheathed with buttons; the waist is pulled together by a narrow belt of dense wool, usually red; black, red or yellow leather boots; raincoats are of two types; ordinary ponchos that protect against cold and bad weather, and the so-called chamanto- a very short cape that does not reach the waist with a slit for the head, like a poncho; Chamanto is woven from wool of very bright colors, with a variety of patterns. Such capes began to be worn about thirty years ago. The cost of such a full suit is very expensive and even higher than the cost of ordinary urban clothing. But even laborers try to acquire and carefully protect at least some parts of this traditional costume.

This is undoubtedly due to the fact that this costume has become mandatory for participants. rodeo, in which young people show their dexterity by trying to lasso and tame the bulls that are released into special pens. Rodeos are the favorite national spectacle of Chileans. They often perform in pairs, competing in strength and ability to wield a lasso. The contestants are usually estancia workers, while the horses are more often owned by estancia owners.

In between individual competitions, songs are performed to the accompaniment of the guitar. Fifteen or twenty years ago, only women sang to the guitar, now men also sing.

national dance cueca, old songs, also performed with the guitar, are very popular. There are many folk youth ensembles. Folk dances and the so-called Creole music became popular on the stage as well. Participants in such performances are dressed in a waso costume, but highly stylized - emphasized tight waists, strangely shaped sombreros, too short capes. According to one of the greatest connoisseurs of Chilean folk art, Thomas Lago, such costumes are beginning to "discredit the national dress."

Venezuela

The streets of big cities, and especially Caracas, are filled with a motley crowd: men usually wear light-colored, but not white suits, women - bright dresses and jewelry. The wives of Creole aristocrats, following the old Spanish fashion, dress in black. Spanish national clothes were preserved for quite a long time, only in the middle of the 19th century. cities began to follow European fashions. Fabrics for urban clothing are imported. But the villagers wear local fabrics, mostly blue and white; This clothing for men consists of wide trousers, a shirt and a scarf belt, for women it consists of a wide dress or skirt and sweater. They wear wide-brimmed hats woven from straw. They go barefoot or, which is much less common, wear alpargaty- a type of sandal.

Peru

Citizens wear factory-made clothing, mostly imported from the United States. In contrast to the ruling strata of society, among the people, an integral part of the costume is a hat, while shoes are often absent. A lot of money is spent on a hat; both men and women wear factory fedoras. The outerwear of workers and artisans, as well as farmers, is an Indian cloak for men. poncho, and for women - a shawl.

Brazil

At the beginning of the XX century. the clothes of a Negro man, an inhabitant of the suburbs of Bahia, usually consisted of short trousers and a shirt, tightly fitting the body; both of white paper tissue. The clothes of the Negro women were more picturesque. They wore long, wide skirts in bright colors. On the shoulder, over a light jacket, a long wide scarf was thrown, called panel yes post(matter from the coast). A black woman's head was tied with a large scarf, the three ends of which were tied in a knot on her forehead. It was torso. In Bahia, Negro women were dominated short hair, and in the north, black women arranged elaborate hairstyles for themselves. If a black woman had some means, she put on bracelets, sometimes covering her arms up to the very elbow, and also a belt, consisting of many charms, among which there was invariably a carved image of fingers folded into two figs. Curiously, the custom of wearing such fig-shaped amulets, borrowed from the Negroes, is very common in Brazil. Often a Brazilian mother hangs on her child's neck instead of a Catholic cross such an amulet, which, according to popular belief, should protect its owner from all kinds of misfortunes and diseases.

The costumes of the Negro women of Bahia have gained popularity among the Brazilian population, and any woman dressed in the manner of a Negro woman from Bahia should be called bayan.

The clothes of the vaqueiro herders are simple - a shirt and pantaloons made of linen - it is well adapted to wandering through the sultry expanses of the island. You can always recognize the vaqueiros from Marajo Island by their wide-brimmed straw hat. To protect from the scorching rays of the sun and from heavy rains, dry leaves are laid between the top and the lining of the hat.

In the northeast of Brazil, the vaqueiro spends a significant part of his life wandering the steppe. His clothes are almost entirely made of leather. This is necessary, as large areas of the hinterland are covered with thorny bushes, through which the vaqueiro makes the way for herds.

In the south of Brazil, Gaucho clothing is very picturesque: a leather or felt hat; a colorful scarf tied in a knot around the neck; loose shirt and bombasho(such as harem pants), intercepted from the calves; boots with large spurs. Outerwear - Poncho (Portuguese poncho)- a cape made of a square piece of cloth with a hole for the head in the middle.

"Peoples of America", 2nd volume, publishing house of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow, 1959

Chile is one of the most interesting countries in the world. A thousand-year history, majestic mountains covered with snow, pristine beaches and an amazing variety of natural complexes - these are the main arguments when choosing this country as an object of visit. Chile is extremely rich in natural attractions, including Lake Chungara, the Parinacota volcano, the Atacama Desert, the El Tatio geysers, Lake Miscanti, the mysterious Easter Island, and Patagonia, the southernmost region of the American continent. Ski resorts are located in the local Andes, and just a few kilometers from these places is the sunny Pacific coast. Chile's historical sites are known in many countries of the world - the granite "towers" of Torres del Paine, the archaeological sites of Copaquilla and Sapauira.

Climate of Chile

The length of the country from north to south for more than 4000 km allows it to enjoy almost all types of climate. In the north, the climate is desert, temperatures from +12°С to +22°С, precipitation is 50 mm per year. In the central part - the Mediterranean type. In the south it is humid subtropical, with a large amount of precipitation (2500-7000 mm per year, + 3 + 14 ° С). There are places in the Atacama Desert where not a drop of rain has fallen for centuries. Elsewhere in the Atacama, short winter rains cause an incredible burst of blooms in the spring, the "blooming desert" phenomenon. As altitude increases, daytime temperatures increase and nighttime temperatures decrease. In the Altiplano area, even in summer, night temperatures can be below 0°C. Here in the summer there are sudden severe thunderstorms and hail - the so-called. "Bolivian winter"

Chile money

The Chilean peso is equal to 100 centavos. In circulation there are banknotes of 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 pesos, coins of 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 pesos. It is possible to pay for goods and services in US dollars.
1 UAH = 100 CHL

Traditions of Chile

As in all Latin American countries, Chile celebrates a huge number of holidays and festivals. In January, the Folklore Festival in Angol, the Classical Music Festival in Valdivia, the Joranadas de Villarrica Music Festival in Villarrica, the Festival del Huazo in Ovalle, the International Folklore Festival in San Bernardo, and the Feast of St. Sebastian in Yumbel deserve attention. Of interest are the Semagnas de Frutillar (harvest festival) music festival held at the end of the local summer (February) in Trilla, the Costumbrista Festival in February in Castro and the Jazz Festival in Tongo. No less colorful are the De la Canquin de Vica festival, the Los Andes International Exhibition, Derby Day and Viña del Mar (March), the traditional religious festival Fiesta de Quasimodo (April), the religious festival Fiesta de la Tirana (July 12-18), Independence Day celebrations, St. Francis of Assisi Day (October), La Fiesta Grande and Fiesta de la Virgin del Rosario in Andacoglio (end of December). The International Riding Championship is held in Viña del Mar in January. The two main races of the year - the Derby (Vina del Mar, January) and El Enasayo (Santiago, October) gather a huge number of participants and spectators.

Chilean Cuisine

The national cuisine is an abundance of pepper, garlic, potatoes, yams, corn and other vegetables. Rice and potatoes are present in almost every dish. Of the vegetable dishes, the most popular are saltado stew, corn porridge and a casserole made from corn, meat and other pastel de choclo ingredients. Meat products are extremely diverse. On the plains and the coast, beef, pork and poultry are the mainstays, in the mountainous regions lamb and pork are more widely used, as well as llama and alpaca meat. It is worth trying chicken soup with noodles and potatoes "cazuela de ave", grilled meat "asado", stew with vegetables "locro", grilled meat or fish "curanto" on hot stones, beef with fried egg and potatoes " lomo a la pobre, steak with potatoes, onions and egg beef a la pobre, a variety of steaks (including the famous Santa Carolina), grilled liver with parillada sausage, patties or pancakes "empanadas" or their enlarged version "caldud", corn tortillas stuffed with meat "churasco" and beef tenderloin with spices "maltado".

Attractions Chile

Arica

Arica is the country's northernmost city, lying on the outskirts of a desert region near the Peruvian border. An amazing combination of a mild warm climate and the nearby "hot" Atacama gives the city a special appeal. The sights of Arica include the central square of Plaza de Armas, traditional for all Spanish colonial cities, with the Cathedral of St. Marcos built by Eiffel himself (1876), the fortress of Arica (now the Museum of History and Weapons), Fort Alacran, a fish market, Morro rock - a place the decisive battle of the Pacific War, as well as the colorful Asapa Valley and the luxurious beaches of Asapa and Henrietta. Nearby are the hot springs of Mamina, the oasis of the Pika Valley and the picturesque town of San Miguel de Azapa with its famous Mummy Museum (age from the 17th to the 2nd millennium BC).

Altiplano

The Altiplano is one of the most beautiful regions in Chile. The attention of tourists is attracted by the famous biosphere reserve of world importance Lauka and Isluga National Park, one of the highest mountain lakes on the planet - Chungara (located at an altitude of 4514 m), the volcanoes surrounding it Saham (6250 m), Parinakota (6100 m), Chungara (6001 m) and the ever-smoking Guiatiri (6070 m), on the tops of which lie the ruins of small fortresses, the unique Salt Mountains and the famous salt marshes, the geysers of El Tatio lying at an altitude of over 4000 m, surrounded by volcanoes Mulas Muertas, Incahuas and Ojos del Salado Lake Laguna -Verde with amazing turquoise water, the ancient petroglyphs of the Pintados and Ljuta valleys, the town of Chiu Chiu with a picturesque colonial church and the ruins of the pre-Columbian era in Lasana.

Santiago de Chile is located in the valley of the same name, sandwiched between mountain ranges 100 km from the ocean, and is considered one of the most unusual capitals in the world. Skyscrapers of glass and concrete blend harmoniously with 18th-century churches, the fashionable districts of Providencia and Las Condes coexist with the Calampas slums, and residents wear both modern business suits and traditional tribal clothes with equal pleasure. At the same time, the standard of living of the local population is one of the highest on the continent.

Viña del Mar

Viña del Mar, Chile's main beach resort, is known as the "Garden City" because of its beautiful scenery and many alleys. Horse-drawn carriages ply between colorful mansions of the century before last, a luxurious beach and the river bank. Tourists are attracted by ocean shores of pure white sand, numerous parks and museums in former colonial mansions. It also houses the National Botanical Garden, the first casino in Chile, the unique "Flower Clock", the Vergara Palace with a luxurious garden, the Wolf Castle, the Municipal Theatre, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Culture.

Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt, founded by German colonists in the middle of the 19th century, is considered one of the most interesting cities in Chile. The appearance of the city is more characteristic of German architecture: "beam" houses with gabled roofs and weather vanes, ivy-covered balconies, impeccably straight and clean streets. The sights of the city are the Cathedral (1856) made of mahogany and a wooden port. The surroundings of the city glorified the most beautiful lakes with crystal water, surrounded by deciduous and coniferous forests.

Villarrica National Park is a bizarre mixture of relic mountain forests and lifeless lava landscapes. Nearby are the narrow Carbugua Lake, hot springs and Eagle's Nest waterfalls.

Chiloe is one of the largest and most interesting islands in the fjord system of the southern part of the country. Isla Grande de Chiloe, as the Chileans call it, is a picturesque hilly island overgrown with forests and herbs. The local fishing towns of Ancud and Castro are very picturesque: the silhouettes of houses are always "blurred" by fog, but on rare sunny days the picture becomes completely unusual - the contours of the city and the mainland volcanoes that are clearly visible from here are reflected in the lead-blue waters of the ocean. About 150 "capillas" wooden churches (12 of them are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List) indicate the location of the tiny local villages. The Chiloe National Park protects vast tracts of relict coniferous and evergreen forests, covering both gently sloping local hills and a long coastline. To the south of the island, you can visit the largest private reserve on the planet - Pumalin Park, which is considered one of the best protected areas in the country.

The city of Punta Arenas is picturesquely spread out on the shores of the Strait of Magellan. Before the opening of the Panama Canal, it was one of the largest ports in America. Today, traces of its former grandeur have been preserved in the form of luxurious mansions and palaces. Of great interest are the Regional Museum of Local Lore, the business district in the city center and La Cruz Hill, from the top of which a breathtaking panorama of the city, the strait and the northern part of Tierra del Fuego opens up. Not far from the city you can see the famous Great Falls, the penguin colonies in Otway and the cave of Milodon, a place where the remains of prehistoric animals were found.

The archipelago of Tierra del Fuego (Thiero del Fuego) was discovered by Magellan in 1520, but only in late XIX century began the colonization of this harsh region. Settlers from the British Isles and the Balkans built the first ranches, and since then it has been the largest sheep breeding center in Chile. Porbenir ("destiny") - the largest city of the archipelago and probably the most isolated locality peace. The quiet town lives by sheep breeding and has not changed much since the beginning of the last century. It is worth visiting the Museum of Local Lore, as well as walking along the grassy banks of the Beagle Channel, from the banks of which you can see the island of Navarino and the waters of Antarctica.

Easter Island lies in the Pacific Ocean almost 3,800 km west of the Chilean coast. It was opened by the Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Day 1722. The island is a top of a seamount rising above the ocean with three volcanic craters. The highest point is Mount Maunga Terevaka (500 m). One of the most secluded and mysterious islands on the planet, it has a rich and tragic history. There are actually more Oceanian peoples living here than there are Chileans, although the presence of Pacific Islanders in this isolated part of the world is one of the biggest mysteries on Earth. The mystery of the technology by which the descendants of the Indian and Polynesian peoples created hundreds of colossal statues ("moai") from hard volcanic basalt and tuff has not yet been solved.

Chilean culture is multinational. It absorbed the traditions of many peoples who settled here and formed a kind of national mixture.

The people who inhabit this country are called Chileans. Most of them (about 65%) are mestizos, Hispanic Chileans, descendants of the Spanish colonizers and the local population. A large proportion of the Chilean population (30%) are immigrants from Europe: Germans, Italians, Austrians, British and French. Indigenous population there are not so many left in the country (5%) - these are the Indian tribes of the Mapuche, Quechua, Aymara, one can also note the Rapanui people - the inhabitants of Easter Island.

In addition to those listed, people from Argentina, Arabs and Jews live in the country.

Religion

Most of the Chilean population considers themselves Catholics (about 70%). Many believers (15%) identify themselves as belonging to different areas of Protestantism. Many of them are Pentecostals. Among the indigenous population, there are quite a few adherents of traditional Indian beliefs.

Language

Official language of Chile- Spanish. It is native to the vast majority of Chileans. Indian tribes also have their own languages, but Spanish is considered universal. Among the serving restaurant are usually Chileans who know English or German.

Rules of conduct for tourists

In the country of Smoking and drinking alcohol is prohibited in all public places, including on the streets, taxis and private cars. Violation of the official ban is subject to a fine. Smoking is allowed in specially designated areas.
For your own safety, large gatherings of people, especially demonstrations of any kind, should be avoided.

National Features

The inhabitants of Chile are considered moderate people, conservatives, restrained, friendly towards the guests of the country. These are people who care about their culture.

Topics of conversation

When communicating with Chileans, you should not raise controversial political topics. In this society not accepted start a conversation about the Pinochet regime or reforms. The locals, unlike the Russian people, are not very fond of talking about their politicians with tourists.

Behavior at the table

It will be useful to remember that the dishes at the Chilean table are served on the left side.
It is considered bad manners to answer a cell phone while eating.
To get an extra portion or proceed to the next dish, you must first eat what is already offered, and then wait for the hosts to invite you to the next portion.

Cloth

Light clothes are suitable for relaxing by the ocean; warm clothes and reliable closed shoes are simply necessary for traveling to the mountains. During the period of special solar activity (December-April), it is strongly recommended to always have a headdress with you, light and closed clothing is suitable to avoid burns.

Chilean traditional holidays

Week in late March - early April (date varies) - Holy Week

First Monday in September - National Reconciliation Day

Like other Latin American countries, Chile is famous for its holidays and festivals. In December-February, it is interesting to visit the colorful Fiesta de la Virgin del Rosario and La Fiesta Grande in Andacollo, the Classical Music Festival in the town of Valdivia, the Folklore Festival held in Angol, the International Riding Championship, the music festival and the celebration of the harvest called Semagnas de Frutillar, organized in Trilla, the Feast of St. Sebastian in the town of Yumbel, the Jazz Festival (Tongoy) and many other equally interesting holidays. It is very curious for the guests of the country to visit the traditional religious festivals Fiesta de Quasimodo (held in April) and Fiesta de la Tirana (in July), as well as to see the festivities in honor of Independence Day.