Piñata ( Spanish Piñata ) is a Mexican-born hollow toy of a rather large size, made of papier-mâché or lightweight wrapping paper with ornaments and decorations. With its shape, piñata reproduces animal figures (usually horses) or geometric figures that are filled with various treats or surprises for children ( sweets , crackers , toys , confetti , nuts , etc.)
History
Presumably, the prototype of the piñata was Chinese lanterns and figures of dancing dragons, whom Europeans met in the late Middle Ages (primarily Italians and Spaniards ). It was the Spaniards who transferred the piñata tradition to Latin America, where the bright and colorful piñata organically fit into the flavor of Mexican life. At the beginning of the XXI century, piñatas became widespread in almost all countries of the world. Some designers are also keen on making pinat in Russia and the CIS countries. It usually takes 7 to 14 days to make a real handmade piñata.
Mexicans themselves prepare piñatas for almost any holiday (the so-called fiesta ), dressing them with ribbons and painting them in bright colors (yellow, orange, red, blue, etc.). Playing with a piñata is somewhat reminiscent of children's amusement, common in Russia, when children with blindfolds and scissors in their hands try to cut candies hanging in a row on ropes. Pinyata is also hung (at home on a hook to the ceiling, also on a street or in the garden on a tree), one of the children is given a stick, blindfold and (optionally) untwisted in place (other children constantly move around to confuse the batter, sometimes - to avoid injuries from the stick - quite far away or sit down), then he tries to find and break the pinata to get the candy contents. The game is usually accompanied by music and songs, including those specifically dedicated to this fun [1] .
Notes
- ↑ Cantos para romper la piñata (Mexican Breaking the Piñata Song) // Mama Lisa's World: International Music & Culture