Every culture has its different ways of celebrating the holidays. In Latin America, we often celebrate with lots of music and cheer. Guatemala also celebrates Christmas with joy and happiness but before she can reach harmony, you must get rid of some demons.

Every year on the night of Dec. 7th Guatemalans gather around a bonfire to burn the devils in a ritual to kick off the Christmas season. The tradition is a symbol of purification and has been practiced in the Central American country since the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.

Seems like this also has a lot to do with the sentiment of what the conquistadors represented to Guatemala -- devils. In earlier years, families will go into the woods to collect twigs and branches to build the demons that would later on be burned. Today since there are more houses than what is left of the woods, people buy effigies for the ritual. Many Guatemalan's actually build the effigies and sell them on the street when December is approaching.

Carmen Diaz is a Guatemalan seller who makes the effigies and also participates in the tradition herself. "I remember in the past going to the ravine to bring twigs and branches, it was fun". She adds, "Now we make the devils so everyone can burn their own".

About half a million fires are lit in the capital of Guatemala alone. However, the government is urging the public to be more mindful of the environment since the fires do release greenhouse gases. Not to mention that fires can spread and cause harm to the actual people present at the bonfire. The tradition does live on and it is one of the most unique rituals in Latin America. Who would have thought to literally burn bad energy away? It can be very uplifting for the soul to be purified before entering such a peaceful and joyful holiday. Would you practice something like this? 

Click here to watch a video on the subject.