Posted by Jenn on May 08, 2000 at 20:27:34:
In Reply to: pinata posted by kat on May 08, 2000 at 19:01:34:
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.