| The Purísima celebrations in Nicaragua remind us that Nicaragua is a deeply Catholic country. The feast of the Immaculate Conception also carries undertones of the syncretic celebrations found more explicitly in other parts of Latin America, for example in Brazil or Cuba. Here in Nicaragua the tradition is to set up an altar to the Virgin Mary and invite neighbours both to pray and to have a party. This year almost 200 people came to celebrate the feast day together with a local choir and musical group. | |
 celebrating - a view of the altar |
 the musical group and some of the choir |