Yes, December is Fireworks Month in Nicaragua. It all starts at the end of November with La Purísima which goes well into late December, then Christmas and of course bringing in the New Year.
If you are tourist, you may not have picked the quietest time to visit Nicaragua but it will be one of the more memorable.
The Spanish imposed Catholicism has produced some of the most popular and deeply religious celebrations that have also managed to maintain a regional flavor.
“La Purísima” is one of the most important of these festivals and is celebrated with fervor and enthusiasm. In Nicaragua, Purísima is the name given to the Virgin Mary and refers to the celebration of the Immaculate Conception of the patron saint of the country, celebrated on December 8th.
Festivities begin in late November with nine days of prayers and ends in late December. Each town celebrates in its own way, but the general principle is to give thanks to the Virgin Mary.
La Gritería (Gritería roughly translates to “a group of people shouting”) is held on the evening of the 7th of December with processions visiting various shrines in honor of the Virgin Mary.
“¿Quién causa tanta alegría? …”¡La Concepción de María!”
The Gritería itself refers to those who walk the streets visiting various altars set up at houses or businesses in honor of the Virgin Mary. The people will pray, chant and set of fireworks. The actual shout that goes out is; “Who causes so much joy?” with the rousing response being; “The Conception of María!”
December 8th marks the celebration of the Immaculate Conception and honors the Virgin Mary. It is celebrated with deep conviction in all of the towns and villages of Nicaragua.
Firework Safety
As is usual at this time of the year, with December being Fireworks Month in Nicaragua, the National Police (Policía Nacional) in conjunction with the Fire Service (Bomberos) are working on their Plan Pólvora 2021, a Fireworks Safety and Security Plan aimed at preventing any unfortunate accidents.
Over 2,000 firefighters will be used to cover more than 500 firework sales zones installed around the country, training merchants and also ensuring the safe transportation of fireworks through the various municipalities.
Brigade Commander Ramón Landero, Director General of the Firefighters, appealed to parents to take care of their children and not allow them to handle gunpowder.
Note: Pólvora literally translates to gunpowder but its use here is the common meaning of fireworks instead of the more formal “fuegos artificiales”.
