The Fiesta of St. James in Loíza
The
island of Puerto Rico lies in the Caribbean Sea. Loiza is just east
of San Juan.
http://www.sweetmarias.com/puertorico.gif
Abstract
In 1493 Spain claimed Puerto Rico and took over the indigenous people living on the island at the time. Spain , with the use of slaves, used the island to grow crops. Loíza, located on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico , was home to many African slaves in the 1500's and today's population remains mostly black. Spain brought a new kind of religion, Christianity, to the island. Christian Spaniards converted the indigenous and African people to follow Christ. The people living in Loíza began honoring St. James, one of Puerto Rico 's patron saints, annually during July and August. After a few years the Fiesta of St. James became one of the most diverse celebrations on the island. During this Catholic celebration Africans, Latinos, and whites all pack the streets for the procession of three statues. Men, women, and children are all represented with statues and spend their days dancing, singing, and eating. The diversity in Loíza during these ten days is a perfect representation of daily life on the island.
http://www.endi.com/galerias/carnaval_ponce/_fotos/1.jpg http://www.savethemanatee.com/PR/prgifs/pr.verylarge.gif
(Figure 2): Carnival in Puerto Rico
(Figure 3): The diverse land
of Puerto Rico has great weather, rainforests, traditions and celebrations
(picture).
Introduction
The tropical, mountainous island of Puerto Rico was originally claimed by the Spanish in 1493. Puerto Rico eventually became a U.S. territory, adapting American customs. Most of the population is of Spanish or African origin and 85% are Roman Catholic (CIA- World Factbook 2004:1). Therefore, most of their religious holidays and celebrations revolve around Christianity. Every year on July 24 th the Fiesta of St. James takes place in Loíza, a town on the northeastern coast. This ten day celebration is typically thought of as an African, Catholic tradition. Through the diversity of this island, the Fiesta of St. James is much more than just an African and Christian religion. It integrates all the people of Loíza and Puerto Rico , making it one of the most diverse and syncretistic celebrations on the island.
Context of Puerto Rico
Amidst the North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea lies the tiny island of Puerto Rico . About the size of three times Rhode Island , Puerto Rico has many sandy beaches and a tropical marine climate. It is mountainous and often suffers hurricanes. Dairy products and livestock are the main source of income for the island. However, tourism is a large source of income as well. The capital, San Juan , is one of the best natural harbors in the Caribbean . Most of the major cities lie on the coast. As of July 2004, the population of Puerto Rico was estimated at about 3.9 million people. 85% of Puerto Ricans are Roman Catholic; the remaining 15% are mostly Protestant (CIA- World Factbook 2004:1). St. James the Apostle, who is one of the patron saints of Loíza, earned the devotion of the Spanish by scarring off the Muslims from Spain centuries ago.
For a long period of time, the Native Indians of Puerto Rico (specifically called Arawak Indians) were not disturbed by the western world. The Spanish Empire became prevalent in Puerto Rico after Columbus 's second voyage to America in 1493. Puerto Rico suffered many tough years as a colony of Spain (Alleyne, 2002:146). Used mostly for sugar production, Puerto Rico was right in the middle of the Atlantic trade-triangle. Loíza was created as a slave colony. Today it remains predominately African. Although the fiesta is also important to the Spanish and indigenous people, it is this African-Puerto Rican population that the Fiesta of St. James revolves around (Zaragoza 1995:1-4).
In 1898, Puerto Rico was given to the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War. In 1917, Puerto Rican's were granted United States citizenship. In 1952 a constitution was written, letting Puerto Rico be self governed, and officially becoming the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (CIA- World Factbook 2004:1). Puerto Rico has struggled to define its legal status in the United States , but the people have great pride in their own country.
Origins of the Fiesta of St. James
St. James had fought off Muslim invaders from entering Spain centuries ago, earning great respect from the Spaniards. When the Spaniards came to set up their colony in Puerto Rico , they believed they were protected by St. James the Apostle (Carrillo 2003:39). Settled in the early 1500's, Loíza was occupied by a large percentage of African slaves who worked in the sugarcane fields. The black slaves then called to St. James to protect them from their suffering. The origin of the first fiesta in Loíza is uncertain, however, one folk story dates the statues used during the ceremony as being created in 1832 (Zaragoza 1995:61-62) . This fiesta is a syncretism of Hispanic, indigenous, and African customs.
Performance
The Fiesta of Santiago Apostle happens every year from July 24 th to August 3 rd . This ten day celebration is focused around the religious processions of three, 200-year-old statues of St. James. At 6 p.m. on the first day of the celebration, the first statue is carried into the center of town. Santiago de los hombres (St. James for the men) is carried by four men and is followed by men dressed as vejigantes (Local Legacies 2004:1). Vejigantes are a representation of the evil moors that St. James defeated (see figure 4). These African, giant costumes have long horns and are. Vejigantes are a traditional animal beast. Sometimes the masks are made enormous and put on the front of a jeep in the procession. Other citizens that are not part of the procession parade around town in their costumes. Many men dress as viejos (old men), wearing masks carved from wood or coconut shells. Other men dress as locas (crazy women), and are often noted for wearing mustaches (Zaragoza 1995:73). These cross dressers use role reversal to entertain the crowd. Traditionally men dressed up as woman during the celebration to earn tips and laughter.
Over the next three days, the three wooden statues take a turn leading the procession as they parade to the coast and back. Santiago de los hombres leads the procession on the 25 th , Santiago de las mujeres (St. James for the women) leads on the 27 th , and finally Santiago de los muchachos (St. James for the children) leads on the 28 th . The two statues that are not leading the procession follow directly after the leader. From July 29 th to August 3 rd , there are many games of chance, sporting events, feasts, and dancing (Carrillo 2003:39). The ceremony ends with mass on the last day.
Artifact
(Figure 4): A sample Vejigante costume and mask from the Fiesta of St. James. Vejigantes, according to the myth, were evil monsters that were destroyed by St. James's Spanish army.
http://www.cba.uc.edu/cbainfo/ecenter/Images/ICSB_SanJuan/11420SanJuan02ICSB
Interpretation
Prognosis for the Fiesta of St. James
As the fiesta of St. James is celebrated each year it becomes more and more colorful and lively. The governments continued promotion of this celebration has lead to an economic boost for Loíza (Gillan 2003:32). The town's dependence on the celebration increases each year as more and more visitors come. More investors are putting money into tourism than agriculture. An estimated 5 million tourists visited Puerto Rico in 1999 (p. 32). As the economy fluctuates to except summer visitors, so does the festival. The fiesta of St. James is increasing in guests and revenues. The fiesta has started to gain popularity, not only throughout Puerto Rico , but internationally as well.
Conclusion
As the approach of July 24 th comes each year, Loízans, Puerto Ricans, and tourists alike all anxiously begin to prepare for the ensuing days. Although this tradition was started as a Spanish Christian fiesta, it has progressed into a new direction. Loíza's population is now mostly African. The fiesta has begun to lose its Christian background and has started to formulate into, more or less, a carnival. Although it is still deeply embedded with Christian ideas, it is celebrated by everyone. Atheists and Christians come together to fill the streets, restaurants, and bars of Loíza for a period of fun and relaxation. During these days, everyone is considered a Loízan. The diversity involved with this celebration makes it one of the most diverse celebrations in Puerto Rico.
Internet References Cited
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Local Legacies
2004 Festivities of St. James, the Apostle, Held at the Town of Loiza in Puerto Rico . Electronic document, http://www.loc.gov/bicentennial/propage/PR/pr_h_romero1.html , accessed October 17, 2004 .
This site has a brief description of the fiesta that pays particular attention to the "vejigantes".
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Matthews, Charles H.
2002 ICSB World Conference 2002. Electronic images. http://www.cba.uc.edu/cbainfo/ecenter/Events_Pages/ICSB.htm , accessed October 17, 2004 .
I used this site to visually experience some of the costumes from the fiesta so that I could describe them. My artifact image is from this site.
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Yurchenco, Henrietta
1998 The Fiesta of Santiago in Loiza Aldea, Puerto Rico: A Caribbean Version of a 13th Century Spanish Pageant. Electronic document, http://www.american-music.org/publications/bullarchive/yurchenco.html , accessed October 17, 2004 .
This website follows a professor's experience of the fiesta and the study of music and dance of the celebration of St. James.
CIA- The World Factbook
2004 Puerto Rico . Electronic document, http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rq.html#People, accessed September 19, 2004 .
This is a website that has general information and facts about Puerto Rico including geography, population, government and economy information.
Peer-Reviewed References Cited
Alleyne, Mervyn C.
2002 The Construction and Representation of Race and Ethnicity in the Caribbean and the World. Kingston , Jamaica . University of the West Indies Press.
Carrillo, Karen J.
2003 Annual Vejigante Festival puts Loiza on the map. Diaspora, September/October 2003 Edition 4.
Dorson, Richard M.
1982 Material Components in Celebration. In Celebration, Studies in Festivity and Ritual. Pp. 32-57. Washington , D.C. Smithsonian Institution Press.
Gillan, Michelle.
2003 Special Events and Theme Parties ( Puerto Rico offers Several Options for Uniquely-themed Events). Successful Meetings. April, 2003: 32-33.
Simpson, Victor C.
2004 Colonialism and Narrative in Puerto Rico : A Study of Characterization in the Novels of Pedro Juan Soto/Victor C. Simpson. New York , NY : P Lang.
Turner, Victor and Edith
1982 Religious Celebrations. In Celebration, Studies in Festivity and Ritual. Pp. 200-219. Washington , D.C. Smithsonian Institution Press.
Zaragoza, Edward C.
1995 St. James in the Street: The Religious Processions of Loíza Aldea, Puerto Rico . Lanham , MD : The Scarecrow Press, Inc.