Food
Daily Life: Eating Meals
Beans and corn are the two main foods in Nicaragua. Beans are eaten daily as a source of protein, since meat is rare to families there. Tortillas are served with most meals. Nicaraguans LOVE tamales, and it gives them joy to eat them. The yucca root is their most consumed vegetable, containing tons of nutrients. Nicaraguans love mangos and plantains, which is why they are Nicaragua's most popular fruits.
Drinks
Nicaragua's favorite non-alcoholic drink is coffee! They drink it in the mornings and throughout the day. The national drink of Nicaragua is called pinol, and contains corn flour and water. They also enjoy tiste, which is similar to pinol and made from ground tortillas and cacao. They drink many alcoholic beverages as well, but that mostly is consumed by the men, rather than the women.
Beans and corn are the two main foods in Nicaragua. Beans are eaten daily as a source of protein, since meat is rare to families there. Tortillas are served with most meals. Nicaraguans LOVE tamales, and it gives them joy to eat them. The yucca root is their most consumed vegetable, containing tons of nutrients. Nicaraguans love mangos and plantains, which is why they are Nicaragua's most popular fruits.
Drinks
Nicaragua's favorite non-alcoholic drink is coffee! They drink it in the mornings and throughout the day. The national drink of Nicaragua is called pinol, and contains corn flour and water. They also enjoy tiste, which is similar to pinol and made from ground tortillas and cacao. They drink many alcoholic beverages as well, but that mostly is consumed by the men, rather than the women.
TRADITIONS
On special occasions and ceremonies, Nicaraguan residents have celebratory meals. They serve and eat meat, and since it is very rare for families in Nicaragua to have, it is very special to them on celebrations. They usually serve grilled steak called "bistec a la parrilla" or a grilled sirloin known as "lomo".
On special occasions and ceremonies, Nicaraguan residents have celebratory meals. They serve and eat meat, and since it is very rare for families in Nicaragua to have, it is very special to them on celebrations. They usually serve grilled steak called "bistec a la parrilla" or a grilled sirloin known as "lomo".
HOlidays
Religious Celebrations
Religious celebrations are big in Nicaragua. The main ones celebrated are Christmas (5/25), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Immaculate Conception (12/8). The most important holiday in Nicaragua is La Purísima. It's a week long celebration of the Immaculate Conception and is a very exciting time for Nicaraguans.
Religious celebrations are big in Nicaragua. The main ones celebrated are Christmas (5/25), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Immaculate Conception (12/8). The most important holiday in Nicaragua is La Purísima. It's a week long celebration of the Immaculate Conception and is a very exciting time for Nicaraguans.
Secular Celebrations
Some non-religious holidays celebrated in Nicaragua include:
New Years (1/1) Liberation Day (7/18)
Labor Day (5/1) Independence Day (9/15)
Secular Holidays are very similar to American's holidays, and are celebrated with just as much excitement as Nicaragua's religious celebrations.
Some non-religious holidays celebrated in Nicaragua include:
New Years (1/1) Liberation Day (7/18)
Labor Day (5/1) Independence Day (9/15)
Secular Holidays are very similar to American's holidays, and are celebrated with just as much excitement as Nicaragua's religious celebrations.
Ways OF Behavior
GREETING
When you greet one another in Nicaragua, it can be done in different ways. Men shake hands with each other, while women sometimes do the same, but usually smile and give an "hola" or "mucho gusto". Families and close friends hug each other and give a kiss on the cheek.
When you greet one another in Nicaragua, it can be done in different ways. Men shake hands with each other, while women sometimes do the same, but usually smile and give an "hola" or "mucho gusto". Families and close friends hug each other and give a kiss on the cheek.
ACTIONS
In Nicaragua, some of their gestures are quite different. When they want something, they pucker their lips and lift their chin in the direction of the thing they want. Also, they do a lot of finger wagging, especially when they want a ride from a bus or taxi. Nicaraguans wrinkle their nose at times of confusion and sweep their whole hand to gesture people to come somewhere (palm up for them to come eat, palm down for them to come to you). Taking your shoes off at meetings is considered rude and most Nicaraguans avoid saying "no" when offered food/beverages, as it is also rude. Nicaraguan people are very generous and helpful, wanting to assist people when they can.
In Nicaragua, some of their gestures are quite different. When they want something, they pucker their lips and lift their chin in the direction of the thing they want. Also, they do a lot of finger wagging, especially when they want a ride from a bus or taxi. Nicaraguans wrinkle their nose at times of confusion and sweep their whole hand to gesture people to come somewhere (palm up for them to come eat, palm down for them to come to you). Taking your shoes off at meetings is considered rude and most Nicaraguans avoid saying "no" when offered food/beverages, as it is also rude. Nicaraguan people are very generous and helpful, wanting to assist people when they can.
Language
Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua. Over 70% of the population speaks Spanish, while the others speak some English and other languages from their ancestors tribes. Nicaragua's Spanish vocabulary is different in a couple ways from normal Spanish because their are English add-ins and a few adjustments from the tribal languages all mixed together.