E N D
Nicaragua. Done By: CLASS 1E
BACKGROUND • The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast on the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control in the region in subsequent decades.
Nicaragua Flag • Formed by three horizontal bands identical in width • The two blue bands signify the two oceans that border Nicaragua. The white band represents the territory of Nicaragua as well as its pureness. The national coat of arms is centered in the white band.
National Flower • Sacuanjoche -grows on a tree, the Plumeria alba or Frangipani; a conical type of tree that flowers around May. -Local name, Sacuanjoche, is derived from the Náhuatl language according to the investigator General Alfonso Valle.
Culture • Nicaragua has strong folklore, music and religious traditions, deeply influenced by European culture but enriched with Amerindian sounds and flavors. • The west of the country was colonized by Spain and has a similar culture to other Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. • The eastern half of the country, on the other hand, was once a British protectorate. http://www.nicaragua.com/culture/
Culture • There is a relatively large population of people of mixed African descent, as well as a smaller Garifuna population. • The popular dance music 'Paolo de Mayo', or Maypole, which is celebrated during the Maypole Festival, during the month of May. The music is sensual with intense rhythms. The celebration is derived from the British Maypole for May Day celebration. http://www.nicaragua.com/culture/
Cuisine • Gallo Pinto: most people in Nicaragua eat this almost daily and it is considered a national symbol. It is composed of a mixture of fried rice with onion and sweet pepper, red beans boiled with garlic. They are mixed and fried all together.
Cuisine • Indio Viejo: meat is prepared with onions, garlic, sweet pepper and tomato. In addition, some tortillas are put into water and this has to be grinded until they form dough. The meat is shredded and then fried with vegetables, the dough, and orange juice. Finally, you add broth.
Customs • Marriage and Families • Eating • Socializing • Recreation
Marriage and Families • The extended family exerts a major influence on an individual’s life and decisions. • common to have parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all living together • In many Central and South American nations, a person has two family names. • The last name is the mother’s family name, and the second-to-last name is the father’s family name, which functions as the surname. http://encarta.msn.com/sidebar_631522236/customs_of_nicaragua.html
Eating • Meals are occasions for conversation in Nicaragua. • Table manners vary from family to family, but in general both hands (not elbows) should remain on or above the table at all times. • Main meal is eaten at midday, and is traditionally followed by a siesta, an afternoon rest during what is normally the hottest part of the day. http://encarta.msn.com/sidebar_631522236/customs_of_nicaragua.html
Socializing • Elders and those of higher social standing are greeted with titles such as Señor (“Mr.”), Señora (“Mrs.”), or Señorita (“Miss”) to show respect. • The titles Don and Doña are used with a man’s and a woman’s first names, respectively, to indicate special respect and familiarity or affection. http://encarta.msn.com/sidebar_631522236/customs_of_nicaragua.html
Recreation • Group activities are popular, especially dancing. • Baseball, the national sport, generates great enthusiasm. • Bullfights and cockfights are held in rural regions, usually on weekends and holidays or fiesta days. • Celebrations honoring local patron saints are among the recreational highlights of the year. http://encarta.msn.com/sidebar_631522236/customs_of_nicaragua.html
Language • Spanish – 97.5%(official) • Miskito – 1.7% • Others – 0.8% • English and indigenous languages on Caribbean coast. http://www.nicaragua.com/languages/
Sports • Baseball • Football • Surfing • Swimming • Hiking • Sand skiing • Fishing • Biking • Volleyball • Golf http://www.mapsofworld.com/nicaragua/sports/
End of presentation For your kind attention.