Marty
6 Sep 2024
Honduras is a country steeped in a diverse and colorful history. That history has survived to the present day as a wonderful collection of traditions that come together as part of an incredible celebration of the nation’s Independence Day. Whether celebrating at home with family and friends, abroad with new friends, or just interested in learning more, here’s everything you need to know about Honduran Independence Day and Honduran traditions.
Honduran Independence Day is celebrated on September 15th each year. This date marks the anniversary of Central America's independence from Spain in 1821. Beyond Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica also celebrate Independence on this date.
There are many ways you can celebrate Honduran Independence Day, even if you’re not in Honduras or Honduran yourself. If you have Honduran friends, it would be a wonderful surprise to celebrate this day with them, or if you’re abroad, you can get a taste of the festivities back home.
Independence Day is a major public holiday in Honduras and is celebrated across the country.
Typically, at 12pm, the national anthem is sung nationwide while other celebrations are in specific areas. One of the most visible, and audible, ways the event is celebrated is with parades. These take place in every village and city around the country.
These are colorful and loud celebrations, with folk dancers, drummers and students from local schools often marching through the streets in celebration. The largest of the parades takes place in the capital Tegucigalpa.
The capital also plays host to the Honduran Air Force performing air shows, while the annual 21-gun salute at Cerro Juan A. Laínez also draws big crowds.
But if you’re abroad, looking to celebrate Honduran Independence Day you’ll need something a little more practical, which leads me to another way Hondurans celebrate, food.
During the parades, street food vendors will be offers snacks like baledas, tacos, yuca con chicharrón, enchiladas Hondureñas, tajadas, elotes (grilled corn), churros and more. Then at home, it’s mealtime.
In the evening, Honduran families gather to enjoy meals together. The meals can vary, but there are some staples you can expect to see.
Baleadas
Baleadas are arguably Honduras’ most popular street food but are also typically found at home celebrations too.
Baleadas are thick flour tortillas filled with mashed refried beans, crumbled cheese, and sour cream. But there aren’t any rules or limits to what you can combine here and you can even add extras like scrambled eggs, avocado, or grilled meat for more flavor.
Tamales
Tamales are made with corn dough stuffed with seasoned meat, usually pork or chicken, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed. If you’re planning on having a lot of guests for dinner, they can be prepared in large batches.
Carneada or Plato Típico (Typical Plate)
Carneada is considered one of Honduras’ national dishes and is typical of an Independence Day meal. It’s perfect for a social get-together.
Sopa de Frijoles (Bean Soup)
Sopa de Frijoles is made with red or black beans simmered with onions, garlic, and sometimes pork or bacon for extra flavor. It’s served with rice, tortillas, and a side of pickled vegetables. It is filling, hearty and flavorful.
Pupusas
Historically, these are Salvadorian, but Hondurans have put their own spin on them. Pupusas are thick corn tortillas filled with cheese, beans, or meat topped with tangy, pickled cabbage salad.
Pollo con Tajadas
Tajadas are really common to find in Honduras. These sides are thinly sliced fried plantains or green bananas. It’s typical to find this served with fried chicken on Independence Day, topped with pickled cabbage and chimol. Chimol is another important thing to know. This is a fresh salsa made from tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
Together this makes Pollo con Tajadas.
Horchata
Horchata is a typical drink in Honduras. It’s made from rice, milk, cinnamon, and sugar, often served cold. It’s a refreshing beverage commonly enjoyed with meals or as a sweet treat.
Honduras has such a rich tradition of incredible meals that this list could go on and on.
If you have family and friends back home in Honduras, send them a La Colonia eGift and help them buy some groceries for the big Independence Day celebrations.
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