The culture of Nicaragua is the product of the mixture of indigenous identity (Chorotega and Nahuatl), with Spanish and African influences.
Our history is intrinsically linked to indigenous and white Europeans, especially Spanish, beginning with them the conquest, colonization and independence. However, cultural traditions such as dances with different musical rhythms, heritage cities and gastronomy that make this country magnificent are still preserved.
Nicaragua is multiethnic, multilingual and multicultural with four world heritage sites declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Unesco:
- Ruins of León Viejo, Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2000)
- Garífuna Culture, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2001)
- Work El Güegüense, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2005)
- León Cathedral, World Heritage of Humanity (2011)
Ruins of León Viejo, founded on June 15, 1524 by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, on the shores of Lake Xolotlán, en La Paz Center. It was the site where the city of León and was inhabited until 1610. It is the only colonial place in America that remains intact.
Ruins of León Viejo
The language, dance and music of the Garifuna, based in the Orinoco community in Laguna de Perlas, South Caribbean, shares the appointment with Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. They share a passion for growing cassava, preparing the traditional casabe or kazzabe and for dancing, which is why their punta, wanaragua and walagallo dances are characteristic of them.
The Güegüense It is the first work of Nicaraguan literature written in Spanish and Nahuatl at the end of the XNUMXth century. It is a virulent expression of protest against colonial rule, a well-known satirical drama that is performed at various cultural gatherings.
The Cathedral of León is known as the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, its artistic, cultural and historical value is immeasurable. Of colonial baroque construction, its construction dates from 1747 and 1816 by Bishop Bernardo Piñol.
Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption, Leon_
Other aspects that stand out to us culturally:
Language
The Political Constitution of Nicaragua says in its article 11: “Spanish is the official language of the State. The languages of the Communities of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua will also have official use in the cases established by law.
Among the languages of the indigenous peoples is the Miskito with a presence in both regions, especially in the North Caribbean; the Mayangna that is only spoken among the group of the same name in the indigenous communities of the North Caribbean, especially in the surroundings of the Bosawás biosphere reserve; followed by Ulwa, which is spoken mainly in the community of Karawala, South Caribbean; Rama is another indigenous language present only in the community of Rama Cay, Bluefields, South Caribbean.
As for the languages of the ethnic or Afro-descendant peoples, there is the Garífuna spoken in the community of Orinoco, Laguna de Perlas and the English-Creole with a presence in both regions, but more predominant in the South Caribbean.
Music
It covers different musical rhythms such as nica, maypole, punta, polkas, mazurkas, jamaquellos, chicheros, jarabes and marimba sounds, showing the great influence of the three origins of the nationality.
There are their own instruments such as the bow marimba and the talalate violin.
Literature
We are recognized as a country of poets, highlighting Rubén Darío, father of modernism and Castilian letters, as well as Salomón de la Selva, Azarias H. Pallas and Alfonso Cortés, known as the three greats.
Folklore
Intangible cultural heritage of our peoples, have their origin by uniting indigenous elements with Spanish.
So much popular knowledge, knowledge, use, customs, legends, superstitions, music, songs, dances, sayings, proverbs, couplets and songs, oral tradition with its stories, myths and legends are present in our day to day.
So much popular knowledge, knowledge, use, customs, legends, superstitions, music, songs, dances, sayings, proverbs, couplets and songs, are present in our day to day.
Houses Museums
The various moments of our history are told in the House Museums of renowned figures such as Rubén Darío (Ciudad Darío), Augusto C. Sandino Niquinohomo), Carlos Fonseca (Matagalpa), Benjamín Zeledón (La Concordia) and Blanca Aráuz (San Rafael del Norte). ).
National monuments
Due to their historical, patrimonial or architectural value in the country, there are places such as: Santiago Parish Church in Boaco; National Shrine and Minor Basilica of El Viejo, Chinandega; San Francisco Church and the Convent of him, Granada; Parish Church of San Rafael del Norte; genizaro tree in Nagarote; La Barranca de Masaya hill; Boca de Piedra site in Zinica, Waslala, Somoto Canyon, Solentiname Archipelago among others.
