Las Posadas start in Benque Viejo del Carmen on Thursday evening

Photo Credit: Benque House of Culture/NICH

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Las Posadas get underway on Thursday evening in Benque Viejo del Carmen in the Cayo District.

As tradition dictates, benqueños have been celebrating the religious festival of Las Posadas for time immemorial. Las Posadas commemorates the troubles that Mary and Joseph had in getting lodging during their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem as Jesus was about to be born. As the story goes, they finally got a place to stay in a stable where Jesus was born.

In Benque, Las Posadas are celebrated by the Benque House of Culture/NICH from December 15 to December 24.

“The Joy and cheer of the Season, Benque Community Posadas 2022, procession starts at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church leading to the Centennial Memorial Park, immediately after the Mass,” said the Benque House of Culture/NICH in a social media post. That should be about 7:00 pm every evening.

Every day, Mary and Joseph are followed by the townsfolk singing villancicos (Christmas carols) accompanied by live marimba and tambourines. Fireworks are the order of the day, should say night, as well. When they get to the home of the hosts of Las Posadas for that evening, Mary and Joseph ask (in song) for posada (lodging) which is denied.

The hosts for the evening normally provide snacks and refreshments for all.

The following day they do it again.

The final night, Las Posadas end at the Mount Carmel Church where Mary and Joseph are allowed in. La Misa del Gallo (The Midnight Mass) follows.

This year, the Benque House of Culture are the first hosts, and Las Posadas will go from the Mount Carmel Church to the Benque Viejo Centennial Park.

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