C ULTURAL SCRAPBOOK – N ICARAGUA - By: Gisela Lopez

P OPULATION There are about 6 million people living in Nicaragua according to the 2010 census Nearly 1/3 of Nicaragua's population lives in Managua Nicaragua is growing approximately 1.784% every year State Capitol Building

P OPULATION ( CONT.) There are about 23 births for every 1,000 people in Nicaragua Death rate is about 4 people for every 1,000 Life expectancy for males 69 and for females 74

E THNIC MAKEUP 69% of all Nicaraguan’s are Mestizos, a mix between Amerindian and White 17% are White 9% are Black 5% are Amerindian Amerindian

L ANGUAGE Nicaragua’s official language is Spanish 98% of all Nicaraguan’s speak Spanish 2% speak Miskito On the Atlantic coast English and indigenous languages like Miskito are spoken

L ANGUAGE ( CONT.) Bible in EnglishBible in Miskito

R ELIGION About 60% of Nicaraguan’s belong to the Roman Catholic Church 22% are Evangelical 2% are Moravian 1% are Jehovah's Witness 2% belong to other religions About 16% do not belong to any religion Magua’s old cathedral

R ELIGION (C ONT.) Evangelical church Moravian church

G REETINGS AND GESTURES Nicaraguan’s are very friendly and welcoming The most common way to greet a person is with a hand shake Women often kiss on one or both cheeks while embracing

G REETINGS AND GESTURES ( CONT.) A common phrase when greeting someone is, hola (hi), this is especially true for teenagers It is customary to greet everyone in the room individually When speaking with someone they might stand closer to you, also eye contact is very important Eye Contact

R ITES OF PASSAGE A baptism ceremony for a newly born is very important, god parents that are chosen at that time are expected to concern themselves with the welfare of the child and aid them in times of hardship

R ITES OF PASSAGE ( CONT.) A child receiving first communion, usually at the age of nine, receives many gifts

R ITES OF PASSAGE ( CONT.) A girl’s 15 th birthday is a time for a special celebration, it is like saying that she has com of age, among the middle and upper classes, dating does not begin until later

H OLIDAYS New Year’s Day- January 1st Air Force Day- February 1st (In honor of the men in the nation’s air force) Holy Thursday Holy Friday New Year’s

H OLIDAYS ( CONT.) Easter Labor Day-May 1st Army Day-May 27 th Revolution Day-July 19th (Anniversary of the day the National Liberation Army declared victory over the Somoze dictatorship) Revolution Day

H OLIDAYS ( CONT.) Fiesta Day-August 1st (Honors their patron, Saint Domingo) San Jacinto Day- September 14th (Anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto in 1856) Independence Day- September 15th (Commemorates the declaration of independence of Central America in 1821) Battle of San Jacinto

F OOD Famous plates; Gallo pinto, Nacatamal, Vigorón, Indio Viejo, Quesillo, Sopa de Mondongo Gallo Pinto 

D RINKS Favorite drinks are; Arroz-con-Piña, Chicha-de Maíz Arroz-con-Piña 

DESSERTS Favorite desserts are; Tres Leches, Cajeta de Coco, Rosquillas Tres Leches 

C LOTHING Women typically wear simple cotton dresses Men wear work shirts, jeans, sneakers or sandals, and straw hats Cotton Dress

C LOTHING (C ONT.) Businessmen often wear sports shirts of leave off their jackets in hot weather, instead they wear the guayabera (a long cotton shirt) Guayabera

S PORTS AND R ECREATION In Nicaragua the most popular sport is baseball Other popular sports are boxing, basketball, volleyball, and water sports Festivals are an important aspect of public life Baseball

S PORTS AND R ECREATION (C ONT.) Events included in a festival are; cockfighting, bull riding, and bull baiting Going to theaters and dancing in clubs are also popular Youth clubs for socializing is also another thing that is becoming more popular Bull Riding

A RTS Earthenware (clay pottery) Hammocks Baskets Mats Embroidery Leatherwork Coral jewelry Carved and painted gourds and dolls Coral Jewelry

A RTS (C ONT.) Painted Gourd Earthenware

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