Posted by Pippi on November 30, 2000 at 16:30:46:
In Reply to: Re: pinata posted by Thanya Santacruz on November 30, 2000 at 15:47:57:
: : 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.