Its friendly, hardworking, simple, and hospitable people are deeply rooted in the customs and knowledge of rural culture. Their traditional folk music is played with guitars, dulzainas (a type of oboe), maracas, and accordions. The characteristic dances are polkas, mazurkas, and jamaquellos.

Artistic expressions and manifestations 

The traditional festivities in San José de Cusmapa, in the case of the Queen of Angels, begin with a procession from the church along the main street accompanied by mariachi music, culminating in a Mass followed by the Angelus prayer. The celebration in honor of Father Fabretto begins after the vigil at four in the morning, with a procession visiting places considered sacred by the parishioners. These are places where Father Fabretto lived and worked, including the street in front of the former children's home, the municipal arch in front of the former Hotel de la Cruz, the municipal viewpoint where the radio station was located and where Father Fabretto requested to be buried, and finally ending at the church where his remains rest.

Similarly, on March 22nd, the anniversary of the death of the founder of the municipality, the priest Rafael María Fabretto Michelli of Italian origin, is commemorated. The vigil begins on March 21st in coordination with all institutions and with the participation of pilgrims who arrive from the oratories of San Isidro Managua, Estelí, Somoto and Quebrada Honda.

Also, on August 9, the day of the indigenous peoples is celebrated in accordance with the constitutional mandate in coordination with all institutions; on October 11, the last cry of the indigenous, black and popular resistance is commemorated in coordination with the indigenous territorial government; and on December 12, according to agreements established by the local government and the indigenous people through a consultation table, the day of the Chorotega indigenous people of Cusmapa is celebrated in the municipality.

Royal Council

There is a traditional authority, the council of elders, composed of one elderly citizen from each neighborhood and community. In addition to the council of elders, there is a formal authority, the board of directors, elected by popular vote or through an assembly of delegates. The council of elders serves as an advisory body due to its experience; they address issues related to communal property and hold deliberations.

Music 

The traditional instruments of the town are the guitar, violin, and accordion. The dominant musical heritage in the municipality originates from the mid-19th century, when Europeans, attracted by the concessions granted by the government to promote coffee production, brought a mazurka-like music that was performed by great masters such as Frédéric Chopin. This rhythm became "Nicaraguanized" in the northern region.

Painters

Among the local artists are Darwin Ruiz Méndez and Audiel Maldonado, who paint and draw in acrylic with themes of landscapes typical of their surroundings.

Crafts

The most important artisan products of the municipality:

The Basketry: It is primarily practiced in rural areas, in three communities with approximately 20 artisans who create handicrafts from tule reeds and palm. The main products are mats, hats, baskets, ornaments, and decorative accessories made from plant fibers.

Cooperative of Women Artisans in Pine Needle Father Rafael Maria Fabretto. This group of hardworking women uses pine needle fibers, combined and held together with colorful threads, to create a variety of useful items, including delicate hair accessories, keychains, jewelry, earrings, fine baskets, griddles, and other decorative objects and souvenirs. The material is collected in the pine forests of the municipality, and the finished products retain the scent of pine for a long time.

Here you can interact with the women artisans and learn about the creation of these beautiful pieces. The workshop is located very close to the Mirador Park in the town center of San José de Cusmapa.

Traditional trades or practices  

Midwives-healer: In the community of El Ángel No. 1, Domitila Ruiz combines both professions to serve her fellow citizens. Midwives are women who advise and assist pregnant women. Eloísa Galo, from the community of El Ángel No. 3, provides this service, and in the community of El Apante, Doña Juana Guzmán does so.

Carpentry, masonry, and baking These are traditional trades of San José de Cusmapa.

Relevant character for local culture

Father Rafael María Fabretto Michelli: Salesian priest, Italian, who came to the community in 1953, established shelters (oratories) for abandoned children from different parts of Nicaragua. He provided them with food, sleep, clothing, and vocational training. Many of them continue to function as a care center for minors with social problems. An estimated 15,000 children passed through Father Fabretto's hands in 35 years.

Legends

Legend The Hand of the Devil and the Legend of Deimire. 

The Church It is a simple church that constitutes the most recognized religious space in the municipality. It has a rectangular floor plan and a façade with neoclassical elements, featuring a main arched doorway and two rectangular side entrances. Inside are the images of Saint Joseph and Our Lady of the Angels, the principal religious images of the municipality, as well as portraits and the remains of Father Rafael María Fabretto. The building was constructed of concrete blocks in 1962 and remodeled and expanded in 2010.

The oldest house It is a house built in 1958, with pine wood columns, adobe and plank walls, a tiled roof, and a dirt floor. The property measures 2/4 of a block, where its owner is dedicated to making bread and tortillas in an oven made by hand, which is located in the center of the room. In the courtyard of the building there are ornamental plants that decorate the environment and a small space for raising chickens and pigs.

El Balcón de Cusmapa Viewpoint Park: It's a pleasant place for recreation, located in the highest part of the municipality. Visitors can stroll along its walkways, enjoying a magnificent panoramic view. They can also relax on the benches and take in the scenery that encompasses the department of Chinandega and the Pacific Ocean.

Monument to Father Fabretto: It is a life-size sculpture depicting a priest with two children on either side. It was erected in 2012.

According to the residents, during Father Fabretto's first visits to the municipality of San José de Cusmapa, the most important region was the area of ​​Los Ángeles, which he divided into Ángel Uno, Ángel Dos, and Ángel Tres, because he believed that the center of the municipality could be located in Ángel Uno. Later, the Catholic Church adopted this name for the parish of the municipality, although the official name is María Auxiliadora in honor of the Salesian congregation to which he belonged.

Also on March 19, the patron saint's day of Saint Joseph is celebrated, a name given to it by the Priest Rafael María Fabretto, when it was elevated to a municipality

The population celebrates La Purísima with great color on December 7, as well as the Easter and Christmas festivities.

The traditional cuisine of the municipality is based on dairy products such as curd, cheese, and cream, accompanied by cooked beans, tortillas, and coffee, as well as the bean soup and curd.

The corn and their derivatives are the main supply for the inhabitants of Las Sabanas, including tortillas, tamales, stews, Shortbread, doughnuts, güirilas, atole and other corn derivatives.  

Traditional drinks They are corn atole, tistpozol, chingue, horchata, warm pinol, pinol cooked with milk and the aguardiente of cususa.