Easter in Latin America just hits differently when compared to other countries as Easter Sunday is often treated as a culmination of the Semana Santa or Holy Week and is a much more solemn affair and is treated more spiritually.

While in the US, the holiday that celebrates Jesus Christ's resurrection is much more commercialized with Easter egg hunts and a lot of chocolate eggs, in Latin America, it is treated more like a fiesta, with processions and feasts to celebrate the resurrection.

According to the Spanish Academy, these processions often recreate moments that lead up to the resurrection, with people often wearing ceremonial outfits while carrying the figure of a saint, complete with a marching band accompanying them.

Easter Traditions Found in Several Latin American Countries

We take a look at several Latin American countries and look at how they usually celebrate the feast of Christ's Resurrection. We picked out five of them and in no particular order, they are:

Argentina - Giving Out Chocolate Eggs

This tradition may be the closest to what is being practiced in the United States as Argentinians gather as a family together and have a meal. According to My Language Hub, they then exchange gifts, which include chocolate eggs. The practice is said to have originated in France, but in Argentina, it has become widespread as bakeries and chocolatiers create special eggs, especially for Easter.

Colombia - Climbing Monserrate on Their Hands and Knees

Monserrate is a top tourist destination in Bogota where tourists often climb using a gondola. However, during Easter Sunday, thousands of devotees climb the mountain on hands and knees as a sign of devotion, penance, and gratitude. Once they arrive at the top, they then visit the Sanctuary of our Fallen Lord and pray.

Brazil - Eating Pacoca, Cake, Chocolate Eggs

Over in Brazil, they also have their traditional processions where devotees carry images or statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. However, afterward, they eat plenty of sweets, including the usual chocolate eggs. They also eat Easter ring cake and a specialty treat usually only eaten during Easter called Pacoca.

Peru - Burning a Statue of Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus Christ's 12 Apostles and was in charge of handling their money. However, he was also the one who betrayed Christ over to Roman authorities. In Peru, in the city of Arequipa to be precise, they celebrate Easter by burning a statue of Judas, as a symbolic act of justice and punishment, according to Journey Latin America. This is then followed by a massive fireworks display throughout the city.

Costa Rica - Releasing Captured Crocodiles Back to the Wild

Costa Rica may have one of the wildest Holy Week traditions in the world. In the village of Ortega de Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, men set out to capture large crocodiles and put them on display back in the village during the Holy Week. When Easter Sunday comes around, these crocs are then released back to the wild unharmed.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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