The patron saint festivals in Nicaragua are part of the traditions, idiosyncrasy and culture of each of the country's municipalities.
Through these religious festivals, Catholics demonstrate their faith through the miracles received by each of the saints whom they celebrate in towns, regions, municipalities and cities.
In the case of Granada, devotees celebrate their patron saint, the Virgin of the Assumption, between August 05 and 28 of each year. This festival has been held since 1751, beginning in the indigenous neighborhood of Xalteva.
Diriomo, one of the four municipalities that make up Granada, celebrates its patron saint, Our Lady of Candelaria between January 21 and February 15.
This religious celebration has been celebrated for just over 150 years. As in other municipalities in the country, fervent Catholics join in mass to honor Our Lady of Candelaria and there are masses, processions, the election of a queen and a horse parade. Marimba music is a must at this patronal celebration.
In Diriá, a municipality of this department, very close to Diriomo, is another of the so-called White Villages that celebrate their patron saint with great joy, Saint Peter the Apostle, whose celebration lasts a month, between June 18 and July 17.
In this celebration the people of Diriome represent the traditional dance of La Yegüita and Negros of San Pedro, in which its participants hit each other with some kind of rules.
One of the ways of celebrating this festival is that the image of Saint Peter visits the homes of Catholic devotees and they in turn give the people who participate in the procession nacatamales, cajetas and traditional foods for miracles granted. This activity is called “demanda” and there are three: June 30, July 10 and July 17.
And Nandaime also celebrates its patron saint festivals, but these are dedicated to Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This celebration takes place between May 8 and August 10 of each year, that is, three months of celebration and thousands of people from the municipality and other neighboring towns participate, counting on the participation of chicheros and marimba rondallas, encouraging the dancers who dance the well-known musical pieces of Las Inditas, El Cartel and Los Diablitos.
This patronal festival is so deeply rooted among the Catholic devotees of Nandaime that it is part of the country's Intangible Cultural Heritage.
