NICARAGUA
COUNTRY #4
MARÍA INÉS
María Inés’ Wisdom:
“Happiness is made of moments and life is short, let's fill it with them”
“La felicidad está hecha de momentos y la vida es corta, llenemosla de ellos” (Spanish)
About Folkloric Dance
Nicaragua is home to a diverse array of folkloric dances that reflect the country's rich history and culture. One of the most popular dances is El Güegüense, a dance which tells the story of a sly peasant who outwits the Spanish authorities. El Güegüense is considered to be one of the most important pieces of Nicaraguan culture, and it is danced at various cultural events throughout the year. The dance is also used as a symbol of resistance against oppression, and it has been performed during political protests in recent years. Palo de Mayo is another form of traditional dance, which is traditionally performed during the month of May. The dance is named after a type of tree that is native to Nicaragua and features a group of dancers who circle around a central pole. The Palo de Mayo is often accompanied by lively music and colorful costumes, making it a lively and vibrant spectacle. Another popular dance is the Danza del Torito, which is typically performed during religious festivals. The dance pays tribute to the bull, an important symbol in Nicaraguan culture, and features dancers wearing bull masks and colorful costumes.
About Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. Set between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it has a diverse culture influenced by colonization by both the Spanish and the British. Nicaragua's first inhabitants were indigenous groups who settled near lakes and volcanoes, utilizing a trade route with other Mayan groups from Mesoamerica. Spanish conquistadors took over Nicaragua in the early 16th century and created Granada, one of the oldest colonial cities in America. In doing so, the Spanish almost destroyed all pre-Columbian civilization due to infectious diseases and enslavement. Nicaragua declared independence from Spain in 1821 and became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Many people on the Caribbean coast speak English, but the culture is not without native influences. Mestizos are a mixture of both Spanish and native Indian culture who live in the region today.
TRAVELOGUE
Chapter 4: Nicaragua
I was fortunate enough to team up with an organization who helped arrange everything for the portrait in Nicaragua. We shared a beautiful drive to our lakeside photo location, only to be disrupted by aggressive waterfront weather.