Posted by Celestina Vega on October 19, 2000 at 11:37:40:
In Reply to: Re: pinata posted by Jenn on May 08, 2000 at 20:27:34:
: The History of the Pinata
: The pinata that usually reminds us of Mexican and Hispanic heritage actually originated
: from Italy. In the 16th century during the Renaissance, Italians were beginning to
: break away from the traditions handed down from Rome. The pinata was once called a
: pignatta and it was filled with trinkets, jewelry, or candies. A person would be
: blindfolded and tried to hit the pignatta while it was being swung back and forth from
: a rope. Once the pot was broken open, the guests would all rush out and collect the
: fallen contents. The Italian custom of breaking the pignatta spread throughout Europe
: and to Spain. Spaniards then began to design the crude pot in order to cover the rough
: unglazed surface. The pinata was brought to America by the Spanish explorers and
: conquistadors along with traditions, customs, and religion of their homeland. Mexicans
: adopted these traditions and the pinata soon became one of their own. Mexican artists
: found other ways of making pinatas using paper mache and cardboard. Pinatas were
: shaped to symbolize Mexican heritage and took the form of pinatas today.
:
: A traditional
: Mexican pinata consists of a clay pot covered with
: papier-mache formed into the shape of an animal, bird or
: person. The pinata is decorated with brightly colored crepe
: paper or tissue paper and filled with fruit, nuts, candy or
: small toys.