Fieldwork Archive
Por eso el cristianismo
Performed by León residents.
Recorded December 7, 2025 in León, Nicaragua (acquisition date: December 12, 2025).
Performed during the gritería celebration. Performed with tambourine.
Recorded by Claudio Alexander Urbina on behalf of Derek Piotr.
La gritería ("the shout") is a Nicaraguan festival which originated in the early 18th century, held in honor of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, also nicknamed the Purísima.
It is celebrated on the night of December 7th, the eve of the Catholic feast day for the Immaculate Conception.
These celebrations are some of the largest in the country and are celebrated in its various towns and cities.
They hold special significance in the city of León, where they originated.
Devotees walk the streets and visit different altars erected in honor of the Virgin Mary in churches and private homes, offering prayers, singing, and setting off fireworks while shouting pregónes.
The inhabitants of the houses welcome the devotees with a toast, popularly called la gorra (the cap), of candy and other small gifts.
Here, Fieldwork Archivist Claudio Alexander Urbina records a group of León residents caroling "Por eso el cristianismo" at the entrance of a private home in the San Felipe neighborhood, finishing off with the pregones "Que viva la Virgen!" ("Long live the Virgin!") and "¿Quién causa tanta alegría?" ("Who causes so much joy?").
con grata melodía
repite de María
su nombre sin cesar.
Ella es la más gallarda,
ella es la más hermosa
es Reina poderosa
del coro celestial.
with pleasing melody
repeats Mary's
name without ceasing.
She is the most gallant,
she is the most beautiful
she is the powerful Queen
of the heavenly choir.
