Monimbó celebrates Holy Cross of Trinidad

Arquimedes Hernández | Jun 20, 2013

The mayor of Monimbó -Masaya- and its "principales", in conjunction with indigenous neighborhood personalities, held on Tuesday afternoon the Holy Cross of Trinidad, an ancient holiday that dates back to colonial times. This festival was lost and it was only part of the memory of the elderly, so ancestral authorities from this neighborhood decided to rescue this as part of their cultural work.

The Alcalde de Vara (indigenous community mayor) José de Jesús López Ortiz, an old man of 90 years old, descent from chorotegas (indigenous group), is a man who stands out among all others because of his advanced age and the use of a cane, symbol which owes its name and the respect of the entire community . He says that this activity requires a lot of financial resources, which is why this tradition had been lost.

The activity of the Holy Cross of Trinidad, was a convoy where instruments of the tribe were played. The participants, about 200 people, were able to see the mayor with his cane, the traditional sounding the bongo player (deerskin drum), and bearers carrying the flags of the Catholic Church and Nicaragua.

The parade left the mayor's house and went through one of the old roads leading to the lake of Masaya, where is the cross is located. That was the end of the procession, which began as an indigenous festival seeking good harvests and an excellent winter.

This year, for the prayer of the Holy Cross of Trinidad, they had to use funds from the Association Cane Mayors from Monimbó. People from the neighborhood also presented their offerings (financial aid), and Masaya municipal mayor helped with the cost of the meals, said María del Carmen López, Prioste (treasurer). Also, wait for next year that this activity may be growing and can be salvaged as tradition.

Translated by Cynthia Cordero