10 CULTURAL MANIFESTATIONS OF VENEZUELA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The cultural manifestations of Venezuela, the music and the Venezuelan folk dances are influenced by the costumes, traditions and religious beliefs of the three races that make up the population of Venezuela as a whole: the white, the Indian and the black.

Popular dances are largely the product of Creole culture. However, typical indigenous dances and other displays of almost pure African origins can still be found in some areas.

The origin of Venezuelan musical instruments dates back to indigenous, European and African cultures. These three cultures have greatly influenced popular music.

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the Indians used bone flutes, clay whistles, shell trumpets, and maracas. During the Spanish colonization and the arrival of African slaves, various instruments were incorporated into the tradition of popular music such as the cuatro (a small four-string guitar), the violin, the guitar, and the drums.

10 cultural manifestations in Venezuela

1- The joropo

As it is the national dance of Venezuela, it is performed throughout the country. It is a dance with lively, happy and syncopated music; of Spanish origin and Venezuelan in feeling. It is a dance for couples and has up to thirty-six variations of the basic steps. Musical accompaniment is provided by the cuatro, maracas, and a harp.

2- The arepa

Arepa is a type of food made from ground corn dough or pre-cooked flour. This dough can be roasted, cooked, fried, boiled or steamed, however, the arepa has a flat and rounded shape and is usually cooked roasted or fried. Its characteristics vary according to the color, flavor, size and the food with which it can be filled, depending on the region.

Most Venezuelans eat arepas on a daily basis, as they can be enjoyed as breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner due to the amount of fillings with which it can be served.

Among the fillings or accompaniments we find: white or yellow cheese, ham, avocado, egg, black beans, chicken and shredded meat, sausage and different types of fish.

The Venezuelan arepa has its origins thousands of years ago in the various indigenous tribes throughout the country. Its name comes from the indigenous word erepa, which means corn bread.

Initially they were made with fresh corn, today they are prepared with pre-cooked white corn flour.

In 1950, areperas (restaurants whose main menu is arepas) were few and far between, since arepas were eaten mainly at home as a side to food served or stuffed with only cheese or ham. With the spread of areperas, the popularity of stuffed arepas and the increasing availability of pre-cooked corn flour increased.

3- Liquiliqui and espadrilles

The liqui liqui is the national costume for men in Venezuela. However, it is also used in Colombia. Traditionally it is white, beige or cream; although it is also found in other colors.

Recently, many Venezuelans and various famous personalities from Venezuela have used liquiliqui for their weddings, in a revival of the traditional style of dress. The singer and composer of Venezuelan popular music, Simón Díaz, was known for almost always wearing a liquiliqui.

Liquiliqui is traditionally made of linen or cotton fabric, although gabardine and wool can be used. The costume consists of a pair of long pants and a jacket. The jacket has long sleeves, the neck is rounded (Nehru style) and is attached and decorated by a "gasket" (chain loop similar to a cufflink) that joins the two ends of the neck.

The jacket is fastened with five or six buttons, and may or may not have pockets (if so, no more than four). In general, the set is very simple with clean and elegant lines. Traditionally, the liquiliqui is worn with espadrilles (open-toed sandals) and a “llanero” hat.

Due to the style of the neck, the liquiliqui is said to have been brought to Venezuela from the Philippines, although this is uncertain. The most widely accepted version is that the liquiliqui is derived from the uniform of the soldiers of the colonial era, whose jacket or "liquette" had a similar shape - hence the name and collar.

4- Venezuelan legends

The most popular urban legends of Venezuela are:

• The sayona

This legend tells the story of a beautiful young woman named Melissa, who was married to a loving husband and with whom she had a son. One day when Melissa was bathing in the river, a man told her that her husband was having an affair with Melissa's mother.

Upon arriving home, she found the husband sleeping with the baby in his arms, but blinded by rage, she burned the house with her loved ones inside it. He took a machete and when he got to his mother's house, he cut her belly until she bled to death. Before dying, her mother cursed her like a vengeful spirit in search of unfaithful men.

From that moment on, legend has it that she walks the roads taking the form of a desirable young woman in search of lonely men, seduces them in remote areas where, during or after sex, she reveals her miserable form and kills men. or cut off their genitals.

• The weeping woman

It tells the story of a beautiful woman who threw her children into the river after discovering that her husband had left her for a younger woman. Realizing what she had done, she drowned in the river, but as punishment she is not allowed to enter heaven until she finds her lost children, so she wanders the earth crying and searching in vain for her children.

• The Silbon

It tells the story of the spirit of a man who gutted his father after he killed his wife because, according to the father, all women were wanderers and the only thing they deserved was death. After killing his father, the grandfather tied the man to a tree, whipped him, and threw him to two hungry dogs, but not before cursing him.

The grandfather cursed him to wander through eternity carrying his father's bones. Now the spirit roams the earth, continually hissing and searching for bones to add to its collection. If you hear his murmur nearby, there is nothing to fear, if you hear him far away, he is right next to you.

5- Carúpano Carnivals

The carnivals of Carúpano (a city located in the northeast of Venezuela) attract more than 400,000 visitors each year due to the extravagance of music and dances that take place in every corner of the city.

These carnivals are characterized by the caravans, the costumes, the music and the joy of the people.

6- Easter

During Holy Week, many believers come to the city to be present at various events:

1. At the blessing of the palm leaves on Palm Sunday in Chacao.
2. In the procession of parishioners who walk from the Basilica of Santa Teresa to the Plaza de Caracas.
3. On the tour of the 7 temples.
4. In theatrical performances that symbolize the betrayal of Judas and the crucifixion of Jesus.
5. And finally, the burning of Judas, a tradition that symbolizes popular justice.

7- Dancing devils of Yare

The dancing devils of Yare (men dressed in grotesque devil masks, red suits, rosaries, crosses and maracas) begin their traditional battle against the forces of justice on the day of Corpus Christi, it is one of the most colorful and unique ceremonies of the Christian world.

The outcome of the battle is also traditional, justice triumphs, but not until after a whole day of strenuous opposition from Satan's henchmen.

8- Feast of San Juan

Image via: turpialtravel.com

It is mainly a Christian festival in honor of the birth of Saint John the Baptist. It takes place from June 23 to 25, three exciting days of African drums that resonate among the coastal cities of Venezuela.

On the second day, a solemn mass is celebrated where the participants wave colored scarves and sing improvised verses to the beat of the drum. This festival culminates in the "magical night of San Juan", the last night, when the fervent party lasts until the next morning.

9- Chinita Fair

On November 18, the bustling Venezuelan city of Maracaibo celebrates the feast of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá. The 10-day jubilee is led by a beautiful festival queen and is characterized by music, parades, games, and folklore stories.

10- Christmas

In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated under the performance of various religious and traditional customs. As a predominantly Catholic country, the Christmas holidays celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus. The religious celebrations begin on December 16 with Masses every morning until December 24, when the religious service is celebrated at midnight (Misa de Gallo).

The main celebration takes place on Christmas Eve. Families gather to enjoy the traditional festive meal: Hallecas, Pan de Jamón (long loaf stuffed with cooked ham, raisins and olives), chicken salad, pork leg and dulce de lechoza (dessert made of green papaya and brown sugar).

Many households place a Christmas tree in their dining rooms, however, the most authentic Venezuelan custom is to display a nativity scene with the Nativity scene.

On December 25 the children wake up to find their gifts around the manger or the Christmas tree. In tradition it is said that it is the Child Jesus who brings gifts to Venezuelan children instead of Santa Claus.

Music plays an important role in the celebrations. The traditional songs of this period are called aguinaldos. In the old days the aguinalderos would go from house to house singing their songs and playing traditional instruments such as the cuatro, the maracas and the furruco (a small, long drum with a wooden stick in the center).

The Christmas festivities come to an official close on January 6, the day of the Three Wise Men (the three wise kings who came to visit Mary and the baby Jesus), when the children again receive toys and candies. Christmas is, above all, the main holiday during which Venezuelan families come together and rejoice.

References

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