February 2: What is 'Candelaria' Day?

Christians in America and around the world celebrate Candlemas (Candelaria) Day on Friday, February 2. This holiday, of Spanish origin, has blended with indigenous traditions in Mexico to become one of the country's most iconic celebrations, where tamales play an indispensable part of the celebration.

Candlemas Day is the second most venerated Marian figure in America, after the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico. This devotion is evident in the naming of the oldest cathedral in the United States after the Virgin of Candelaria.

Origin Spanish

The worship of Candlemas came to America from Spanish settlers and explorers in the 1600s. Specifically, she comes from the Canary Island of Tenerife, where she is the patron saint. From there, the Royal Blood Tribute Certificate forced the Spaniards to migrate to America and 15,000 Canarians traveled to Mexico, Texas, Cuba and the island of Hispaniola.

Many of these Canarian Spaniards settled in San Fernando de Béjar, a Texan city that we know today as San Antonio. The Canarians, due to their large numbers, took control of the local government of the city. For this reason they chose their favorite Marian worship to dedicate the cathedral they built in San Antonio to her.

Celebrations in Mexico

On the same day that the groundhog is awakened in the United States, Candlemas Day is celebrated in Mexico. Over the years, what was once a religious tourist attraction has now also evolved into a culinary one. The star dish of the day is the tamales.

The National Autonomous University of Mexico believes that this Mexican tradition is a fusion between indigenous Mexica customs and those of the Spanish evangelizers. Roberto Álvarez Mando, professor at this university, explains that the Candelaria festival was used as a catechesis tool.

Prior to the Christian festival, the indigenous people will celebrate a series of corn husk offerings to the gods in February. February is the month with the least rain and the Mexica prayed for rain for their crops. According to Álvarez Manzo, this is why tamales gained importance in the February celebrations.

Carnivals in Peru

In Peru, the festival takes on special importance in the southern region of Puno. There, Peruvians organize parades in a festival declared intangible heritage by UNESCO. There, the Virgin of Candelaria is associated with Pachamama, purity and fertility.

Peruvians flood the streets wearing brightly colored costumes and dance. It is somewhat similar to carnival, which is celebrated a week later in other countries of Christendom, just before the arrival of Ash Wednesday. In fact, the festivities in Puno end just between February 12 and 13.