Running head: FINAL DRAFT OF ESSAY

Exploring Culture Essay: Final Draft of Essay

Monica Kettavong
University of Kentucky

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Abstract

The culture identified in this essay is from a country called Nicaragua. It is the largest
country and poorest country in Central America. With an estimated population of 5,848,641, this
official Spanish speaking country has a variety of whites, blacks, mestizo, and Amerindian
people. Poverty and unemployment is on a large scale all throughout Nicaragua due to having
less access to healthcare services, uneven distribution of income, high birth rates, the Civil War,
and corrupt government. (CIA, n.d.). Though Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central
America, tourists visit here for the beaches, colonial cities, nightlife, low cost of living, and the
booming coffee bean trade. (Wiki, 2014).

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Nicaragua is country full of history and culture. About 95% of the natives, who live in
Nicaragua, primarily speak Spanish, making English the second language that is most spoken.
An interesting fact about Nicaragua dates back to the chief of the Spanish invasion Nicarao, the
Spaniards named the conquest after him, according to one story. (Advameg, 2014). Nicaragua is
surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, bordering Honduras in the North part and
Costa Rica in the South part. Volcanoes contribute to most of the landscapes in Nicaragua, and is
featured in the countrys flag. Just walking around in certain places, youll find at least two or
three volcanoes. (Advameg, 2014). Nicaraguan climate varies from bring tropical in the
lowlands, and cooler in the highlands. Due to corrupt government, the Civil War, lack of
healthcare services, high birth rates, and uneven income distribution, this makes Nicaragua the
poorest country in Central America, and second poorest in the Western Hemisphere. (CIA, n.d.).

The main reason why Nicaragua probably could never prosper is mainly just because of
the corrupt government. Over the years, Nicaragua has undergone periods of political unrest,
dictatorship, and fiscal crisis (Wiki, 2014). Currently, Nicaragua became independent in in 1821
from Spain and is democratic republic with Daniel Ortega being the president (Wiki, 2014).
This is a big issue because it is what made Nicaragua into what it is today. Alvaro Obando, who
is from Nicaragua and is one of the persons interviewed, gave some more insight into the
government that is so-called corrupt. He says,
I have to say that the main reason why Nicaragua is poor because of the Civil War that
went on for 10 years and the government. The Nicaraguan Civil War began on 1978-1990.
60,000 people died on the first stage of the Sandinista Revolution (1978-1979); and some 50,000
more died during the Sandinista-Contra War of 1980-1990. The Sandinistas were known to steal

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the countrys assets, monopolize businesses, control the police, justice, and supreme court, were
unable to pay debt owed to other countries, and socialized with questionable governments such
as Venezuela, Iran, Libya, Russia, Cuba, and others; therefore alienating European governments
including the U.S. who has aided Nicaragua in the past. (A. Obando, October 13, 2014, personal
communication).
Nicaraguans believe in protecting their dignity and how important family is. Large
households are not unusual due to the high fertility rate. A typically household usually consists
of six to eight people. It is a blessing to have a large family in more rural areas so that everyone
can help with chores; while in urban areas this calls for more innovative and creative ways to
house all the family members despite how big or small a space is. This gives a sense of National
pride Nicaraguans have among themselves and their country. (Advameg, 2014). Etiquette also
comes in to play when it comes to communication; respect and personal distance is shared when
languages are exchanged. (Advameg, 2014). Most Nicaraguans practice Roman Catholicism but
most of the people that attend religious ceremonies such as Mass are mostly women and
upper/middle class people. (Advameg, 2014). Gender roles are based on the traditional Hispanic
values. Similar to what is perceived in the U.S., women are supposed to take care of the children
and household and men work. (Advameg, 2014). The rural households are managed by 17% of
the women but, most of cultivated land is not their own. (IFAD, 2005). Since Nicaragua is the
poorest country in Central America, farmers who live in rural areas depend on farming as their
main source of income. (Advameg, 2014). Coffee, bananas, sugar canes, rice, corn, tobacco, and
many other agricultural products make up of 50% of Nicaraguas export trade. (CIA, n.d.). In a
recent interview conducted with Alvaro Obando and his mother, Blanca Obando they voice their
opinions on Nicaragua and their experiences.

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How would you define culture?

Alvaro: To me, culture is traditions and moralities passed down through many
generations.
Blanca: Culture is food, dances, religious ceremonies, what you wear, and when you
eat.
What is the native language spoken?
Alvaro: Spanish.
Blanca: Espaol.

Are you from Nicaragua?

Alvaro: Yes I was born in Managua, which is the capital of Nicaragua.
Blanca: I was born in Managua and raised in a neighborhood called "America cuatro"
which is found in the heart of the slums.

How different is it here in the U.S compared to Nicaragua?

Alvaro: In the U.S. kids do not have to worry about food as much like kids in Nicaragua.
Also it's much hotter and humid; on a good day it is around 90 degrees. You also don't
have to worry about being held at knife point because the crime rate is much higher in
Nicaragua.
Blanca: There are more job and educational opportunities here than in Nicaragua which
is why I decided to come to the United States to raise my family. (A. Obando, B.
Obando, October 8, 2014, personal communication).

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Poverty is definitely something people who live in rural areas, struggle with on a
daily basis. Most of the people suffering from poverty live in the dry, central region with
high population density, limited natural resources, and overexploited land (IFAD, 2005).
80% of the people depend on the agriculture (IFAD, 2005) for their daily lives due to
their environment and probably because there is no modern infrastructure such as stores,
malls, etc. and if there was, the people there could not afford to have such a luxury. They
depend on crops such as sorghum and maize which is in the lowlands, and beans and
vegetables in the highlands (IFAD, 2005). The Nicaraguan Civil War that lasted for ten
years (1980-1990) along with an economic crisis (1987) is definitely a main cause as to
why the country suffered greatly from poverty (IFAD, 2005). The countrys economy
collapsed and now still to this day, Nicaragua and its people undergo the aftermath. 43%
of the people live in rural areas and 68% live off of little more than US $1 a day (IFAD,
2005). Just thinking about the change we carry in our wallets and purses like a couple
dollars or so, it is quite possible that we could feed an entire family in Nicaragua.
Since Nicaragua is in Central America and is mainly a Hispanic country, Nicaraguans
typically get stereotyped like other Hispanics such as Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and etc.
Most stereotypes are depicted from the media such as movies and television shows, which is
where most people get the negative connotation of Hispanics all around. Such as women
working as only maids, men doing yard work, all Latinos are illegal, all Hispanics are tan,
Hispanics are thugs who deal drugs, and many more. Of course, this may not be true but with
television shows such as Family Guy and shows on Comedy Central, the racism and stereotypes
will forever be here. It is all about the media and how it is shown to society. Stereotypes provoke

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generalized thoughts of a certain culture making it seem like all the people in that culture are that
stereotype. It does not have to be just specifically people of Nicaragua. There is stereotypes for
just about every race such as, whites, African Americans, Asians, so on and so forth. Stereotypes
lead to racism and prejudice. But no one is born to be racist, stereotypical, or prejudice; it is
taught and learned. Alvaro Obando and his mother, Blanca Obando talk about their encounters
with racism.
Have you ever experienced racism?
Alvaro: Yes almost every day whether it's in class, in my own car, when I'm walking
and etc. I remember my first encounter with racism. It was in kindergarten and it was my
birthday, traditionally the teacher would read a script about where and when we were
born. My teacher didn't bother to even acknowledge my birthday. I shared my cake with
my classmates but still felt the cold shoulder that my teacher had given me almost every
day.
Blanca: Yes. During my employment at a factory job, I had been working there for a
year and suddenly got laid off. One of my coworkers who is my best friend now told me
they hired someone new and she was a white female. The funny thing was that they not
only laid me off but they laid off majority of the Hispanic workers and were replaced by
white people.

How did this make you feel?

Alvaro: It made me feel left out, like I wasn't apart of society.
Blanca: I felt discriminated against based on the color of my skin and not my work
performance.

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How do you think we should solve racism?

Alvaro: Stop labeling people by their skin color and start labeling them by what kind of
person they are.
Blanca: I don't think racism will ever stop because we will always find someone to
discriminate against. (A. Obando, B. Obando, October 8, 2014, personal
communication).
Despite poverty and corrupt government, Nicaragua I still a beautiful place to
visit for a vacation. Nicaragua has beautiful buildings lying within in Managua and Leon
such as colonial architecture in the Roman Catholic cathedrals along with other buildings
with colonial architecture, and the old Cathedral which is currently in ruins, can be found
in Managua (Advameg, 2014). The streets, roofs, and buildings also have colonial
architecture which can be found in Leon (Advameg, 2014). Food is also a unique factor
in Nicaragua. Tortillas, corn, and beans are a big part of the diet much like the rest of
Central America (Advameg, 2014). Beans are usually eaten due to the fact that regular
meat is not something everyone can afford; however at celebratory meals, Nicaraguans
eat steak (Advameg, 2014). Tamales are also enjoyed among Nicaraguans. It consists of
corn, rice, tomatoes, chili, potatoes, cassava root, and meat all wrapped in banana leaves
(Advameg, 2014). And of course last but not least, coffee. Coffee is a high demanding
crop that requires years to produce a harvest (Federal Research Division, 2010). It is what
supports the some 45,334 families that own and operate the small farms to produce coffee
(Equal Exchange, n.d.). It is a favorite non-alcoholic drink enjoyed among Nicaraguans

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who drink coffee with hot milk at breakfast and, black with sugar with the rest of the day
(Advameg, 2014). Alvaro Obando and Blanca Obando share their favorite dishes to eat.
What are some of your favorite dishes from Nicaragua?
Alvaro: Quesillo, which is melted cheese in a tortilla with sour cream.
Blanca: Gallo pinto which is red beans and rice. (A. Obando, B. Obando, October 8,
2014, personal communication).
Holidays and traditions are also a big part of Nicaragua. Holy Week (Semanta Santa) is
one of the most commemorative events of the year and takes place at the end of March
and beginning of April. It is to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus and
happens several weeks before Easter. Many processions take place all over Nicaragua
during Holy Week such as Stations of the Cross, Stations of the Cross in the Islands,
Service of Darkness, The Reunion, The Baptism, Morava Tradition, Pilgrim Carts, and
Dog Day (Nicaragua Guide, n.d.). A familiar holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the
Dead), is the honoring of the dead. This is a traditional holiday Mexico and Central
America that occurs on November 2nd. Families visit arrange altars with flowers, bread,
fruit, and candy, visit the cemeteries to bring offerings and to clean the grave of the
deceased, and skeletons are handmade and popular to show that there is joy in the
afterlife. Dia de los Muertos, similar to Halloween, has influences from the Celtics,
Romans, and Christians (Nicaragua Guide, n.d.). La Purisma is a tradtion that takes place
on December 8th , all throughout Nicaragua. It is a celebration of the purest conception
of Virgin Mary. Families who celebrate La Purisma, have their own style when it is time
to pray for the nine days to show devotion and gratitude towards Virgin Mary (Nicaragua
Guide, n.d.). Similar to La Purisma is La Griteria; which is more common in Nicaragua.

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Nicaraguans celebrate by thanking Virgin Mary for miracles. People set off fireworks in
cities and towns and decorate altars in their houses. Christmas is also celebrated in
Nicaragua but just slightly different than how we celebrate Christmas here in the U.S.
People decorate their homes with lit up Christmas Trees and lights around their house and
at midnight fireworks are set off. Although Santa Claus is a popular icon in Nicaragua
and throughout the world, but many families cannot afford to buy toys and such for kids
due to poverty. But instead necessities such as clothes and shoes are given as gifts
(Nicaragua Guide, n.d.). New Years Day is another major holiday in Nicaragua. This
holiday can be spent with family but usually is a time to hang out with friends. Parties are
thrown at homes and lots of people are invited. One old tradition is to burn the old year
at midnight. People who do this tradition take an effigy, dress it up in old clothes and
then burn it. Fireworks are also set off during this time and people hug each other and eat
dinner (Nicaragua Guide, n.d.).

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References

Advameg, Inc. (2014). Nicaragua. Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/MaNi/Nicaragua.html.

Equal Exchange. (n.d.). History of coffee in nicaragua. Retrieved from
http://equalexchange.coop/history-of-coffee-in-nicaragua
International Fund for Agricultural Development. (2005-2012). Rural poverty in nicaragua.
Retrieved from http://www.ruralpovertyportal.org/country/home/tags/nicaragua
Nicaragua Guide The Nica Sagas. (n.d.). Holidays, festivities. Retrieved from
http://www.nicaragua-guide.com/national-holidays-festivals.html
The Library of Congress (July 27, 2010). A country study: Nicaragua. Retrieved from
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/nitoc.html.
The World Factbook. (n.d.). Central america and caribbean: Nicaragua. Retrieved from
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nu.html.
Wikipedia. (2001). Nicaragua. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua
Wikitravel (October 9, 2014). Nicaragua. Retrieved from http://wikitravel.org/en/Nicaragua.