New Year’s Eve in Colombia captures the vibrant, celebratory nature of the country’s people, with a quirky side as well! Many unique traditions and celebrations happen on New Year’s Eve around the world and Colombia is no exception!
While the making of resolutions is fairly universal, New Year’s Eve traditions in Colombia are slightly more specific and are called agüeros. The literal translation of this word is “omen” and each agüero is meant to help make everything you want to happen in the upcoming year happen.
Suitcase Walk: Seriously one of the coolest New Year’s Eve traditions I’ve ever heard of. Want to travel in the next year? Following this Colombian New Year’s Eve agüero just might help make it happen. All it involves is grabbing your suitcase at midnight and taking a walk around the block. Simple enough! I will definitely be trying this this year.
Grapes for Wishes: 12 to be exact, one grape for each month of the upcoming year. As the clock chimes towards midnight, make a wish with each grape! Good thing grapes go well with champagne!
Yellow Underwear: If you want good luck, good health and happiness in the new year, what’s one of the surest ways to make that happen? Wear yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve! Apparently their power is strongest if they have never been worn before and you wear them inside out until midnight when you must turn them back the right way.
Pockets of Lentils: One very popular agüero is the practice of putting lentils in your pockets on New Year’s Eve to ensure prosperity in the coming year. Hmm, might need to trade in the dress I was planning to wear for New Year’s for something with pockets!
Have you celebrated New Year’s Eve in Colombia before and did you participate in these or any other traditions? Share your stories!
Eat Well, Travel Well ~ Samantha
Photo Credits
Suitcases: Drew Coffman via Flickr
Grapes: funca88 via Flickr
Lentils: nick mote via Flickr