Oakland
is so diverse it’s hard to know what’s taking place in ever
community but one event that happens every year is the Posadass. These
Posadas are an enactment of St. Joseph and Virgin Mary looking for lodging. In Mexico, each family in a neighborhood will schedule a night for the Posada
to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the
24th on Noche Buena.
Every home will have a Nativity scene. The hosts of the home are the
innkeepers, and the neighborhood children and adults are Los Peregrinos,
who have to request lodging through singing a simple chant. All carry small lit
candles in their hands and four teenagers of about the same height are chosen
to carry Los Peregrinos, which are two small statues of St. Joseph leading a
donkey, while Virgin Mary is riding sidesaddle. The head of the procession will
have a candle inside of a paper lamp shade that looks like an accordion but
opens at the top. This is called a "Farolito" or little
lantern.
You can participate in the Posada here in Oakland on Wednesday December 16th at 6:30pm! The place to meet is at 2935
Foothill Blvd. From Foothill Blvd. the group will start walking and singing
until 35th Avenue. Then they will walk back to 33rd Avenue where the final
celebration will take place with piñatas and candy for the kids. Rain may
cancel this event and I was not given a contact number for any questions. If
you’re interested, just stop by. Remember to dress warm since you will be
walking in the evening.
Posada
When: Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Where: Meet @ 2935 Foothill Blvd, walking to 35th and back to 33rd.
Time: 6:30pm