by Sofia Vazquez Bruno

As a child, I remember the season surrounding Christmas filling my house with the ringing melodies of coritos (short rhythmic choruses) as my family gathered around the fireplace in song. 

Christmas is arguably the most observed holiday around the world; it holds roots in both religious and ancient traditions. Many associate the holidays with a time when family and community come together despite their differences. It is a time of reflection, blessings and gratitude. The significance of traditions is in the reaffirming nature of cultural identity which holds sentimental value. 

On the island of Puerto Rico, the spirit of musical connection is awakened through parrandas. Also known as asaltos navideños, these celebrations involve a group of friends called la trulla, who gather in the late hours of the night to surprise their neighbors with festive music on traditional instruments such as the cuatro, maracas, and güiros, creating a boisterous awakening. The recipient generally welcomes the trulla and provides the party with traditional treats such as pasteles and coquito. This tradition embodies the theme of community as the hosts of each house eventually join the trulla, turning a small group of friends into a massive traveling celebration. This generosity continues from home to home throughout the night with the crowd growing larger and louder at every stop. As the sun begins to rise, the marathon finally reaches its last destination. Traditionally, the final host provides a heartier meal, typically a warm bowl of asopao de pollo to help everyone recover from the night’s festivities. For us Puerto Ricans, the parranda is more than just a party, it is a musical bridge that connects neighbors and ensures that no one spends the holiday season in silence.

Thousands of miles across the ocean, the Philippines celebrates Simbang Gabi. This “Mass of the Night” is a period of nine consecutive masses beginning at four am. A tradition centered in religious faith, this sacrifice honors the Virgin Mary and the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Much like the parranda, the tradition is a test of endurance and a testament to faith. Simbang Gabi is an expression of hope, symbolizing the Christian belief of the second advent. 

In Puerto Rico, we prove our holiday devotion by singing until sunrise; in the Philippines, they prove it by waking up before the sun, but in Japan, holiday endurance is measured by the length of the line at Kentucky Fried Chicken. KFC’s Christmas tradition in Japan, known as “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii,” started with a 1970s ad campaign. It began as a misconception about the Western holiday experience and is now a widely recognized national phenomenon and treasured family ritual. An average of 3.5 to 3.6 million Japanese families order Christmas KFC each year. This modern practice is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture. 

Ultimately, these traditions, from the vibrant streets of Puerto Rico and the quiet chapels of the Philippines to the overcrowded storefronts of Japan, represent more than yearly habits. They are cultural anchors that ground us in participating in a sacred ritual. While the methods of celebration may differ, the heart of the holiday remains the same.