Hey there, Life Lovers! It’s been a while, but I’m back to chat about September and something super special to me: Chilean traditions.
September is a big deal in Chile, not just because it marks the start of Spring, but also because it’s our national holiday. So, for this month’s article, I’ll be sharing a few traditions you can join in to celebrate with us.
Here’s a fun fact: In Chile, we don’t celebrate Independence Day like many other countries. On the 18th of September, we honour the first government’s “Junta” meeting, which was made up entirely of Chileans back when Chile was a Spanish colony. That’s why we call this celebration “Fiestas Patrias” or National Holiday.
Throughout the month, the whole country gets into the spirit. You’ll see lots of “fondas” popping up, more people munching on empanadas, and enjoying mote con huesillo, playing traditional games, and dancing “Cueca”. Let’s dive into each of these traditional celebrations:
Cueca: It’s our traditional dance. In simple words, it’s a handkerchief style of dance that is performed by a couple. Described as a courting dance, the cueca depicts courting rituals between a rooster and a hen. Fun hey?
Food: You may have heard about our delicious empanadas. Chilean empanadas are made with flour, lard, and brine for the dough. They are filled with “pino” – a sort of meat paste – along with cheese, seafood, and veggies. Then, they are fried or cooked in an oven before being served. Delicious!
We also have Humitas, which are prepared with fresh smashed corn, onion, basil, and butter or lard. They are wrapped in corn husks and baked or boiled. They may contain ají verde (green chilli pepper). The humitas are tied with thread or twine to keep them together while cooking. This goes very well with a salad of tomato “a la chilena” –you slice the tomato and add fine sliced onion and coriander, salt, pepper, and a touch of oil.
As starters, we have “sopaipillas” with “pebre”. Sopaipillas are tortillas that are made of pumpkin dough, shaped in small circles and fried. And “Pebre” is made of coriander, chopped onion, vinegar, oil, ground pureed spicy “aji” peppers, and chopped tomatoes.
Note: Sopaipillas can also be enjoyed during breakfast or tea time. Instead of dipping them in “pebre,” you can dip them in a brown sugar syrup, known as “sopaipillas pasadas.”
Mote con Huesillo is a non-alcoholic beverage made with a sweet clear nectar-like liquid consisting of dried peaches (huesillo) cooked in sugar, water, and cinnamon. Once cooled, it is mixed with freshly cooked husked wheat berries (mote). This refreshing drink is typically consumed during the spring and summer months.
The “Terremoto” is a popular alcoholic beverage that originated in Chile. It is mainly made with white Pipeño wine or non-denominated white wine, pineapple ice cream, and grenadine. The name “Terremoto” (Earthquake) was given to this drink because it was created shortly after the major earthquake that occurred in Chile in 1985. The traditional serving size, which is 400 ml, is called Terremoto, while the smaller size is referred to as a “replica” (aftershock). If you opt for the jug size, it’s called “cataclismo” (Cataclysm).
During the festivities, both children and adults will enjoy playing traditional Chilean games such as “emboque” (cup and ball). This game typically consists of a wooden handle with a small ball attached to it by a string, and a cup or a spike, which the player uses to catch the ball. Additionally, you’ll see people participating in sack races and flying kites.
To experience these traditions and games firsthand, you should visit a “Fonda” or “ramada”, a sort of open fair bringing together all of these traditions. In September, many places, not just restaurants or authorized establishments organize “fondas”. Families also come together to create their own “fondas”, and even workplaces organize these celebrations.
So, my Life Lovers friends, I’ve highlighted six ways to celebrate Chilean traditions, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Whatever you decide, remember to share your experiences with us on social media or send us a message.
See you soon!
Chi chi chi – Le le le Viva Chile!
Life Lovers Magazine® 