Good bye 2012 and Happy 2013 #MuyLatinas

Adios al 2013 y un muy feliz 2013

On December 31st we say good bye to the old year and prepare ourselves to receive the New Year. All around the world people have different traditions and ways to receive the New Year.

In Colombia those traditions are in the form of some rituals called "agueros". They are actually some rituals that were performed back in the time on Spain and France and that after the years took the form of the now days agueros in Colombia.

This “agueros” are followed on December 31st to bring on good fortune in the New Year.  For example the tradition of wearing new clothes so the rest of the next year you will always have new clothes in your closet. We also eat 12 grapes during the final 12 seconds of the old year asking for a wish for each grape for each respective month of the year.

There is also an “aguero” of wearing yellow underwear wearing them inside out and changing them at midnight for good luck on the next year. The same “aguero” with red underwear is for good love during the year.

Another “aguero” is to broom our homes and clean them very well to take out all the bad energies; we do "saumerios" or cleansings of the homes to get rid of bad energies.

There is also an “aguero” about burning the old year (Año Viejo). We make a puppet full of fireworks and it is burned at midnight to get rid of bad feelings on the past year.

Another “aguero” is to go out at midnight with a luggage or suitcase and go around the block for travels in the next year.

All families get together with food, deserts, ron, aguardiente (alcohol beverage) and of course the grapes and champagne to toast at midnight.

The rituals (agueros) are for prosperity, health, love and happiness. However the way I see it they are more to keep families together having fun and looking forward to a better year. And I know this, because even though in my family we do not believe on this agueros we still do some of the things just to keep the culture alive and have fun.

Now, you might decide to try out one of them, they might not change your luck in 2013 but I will assure you they will provide your family with some laughs and happiness.

Happy 2013 everyone, thanks for reading and keep connected, we will have more to share with all you in the next year.


Feliz Año Nuevo