The festivals of San Juan have been going on here in Paraguay since the beginning of the month but the actual day of Saint John is coming up on the 24th. Like usual, I haven´t really gotten the religious significance behind this celebration, but, in honor of San Juan pretty much every community organization (every school, church group, etc) puts on a party some time in the month of June. The parties usually include traditional Paraguayan dance, games, and food. I went to my first San Juan party last Friday at the grade school where I work every week in the school garden.
I went with a local family and when we got there there were a few games set up and a lot of traditional Paraguayan food- chipa (mandioca flour bread), grilled meat, empanadas, and cakes. The games included a greased bamboo pole with rum and chipa put on top to tempt people to climb it,and an effigy of a person stuffed with straw and fireworks and set on fire.
I have some pictures uploaded on Flickr but am having problems uploading them today to share, sorry.
I went with a local family and when we got there there were a few games set up and a lot of traditional Paraguayan food- chipa (mandioca flour bread), grilled meat, empanadas, and cakes. The games included a greased bamboo pole with rum and chipa put on top to tempt people to climb it,and an effigy of a person stuffed with straw and fireworks and set on fire.
I have some pictures uploaded on Flickr but am having problems uploading them today to share, sorry.
