Culture

With a culture dating back to more than 2000 years, history is quite obviously splendidly represented in Hondura. There are a lot of Mayan archaeological sites and remnants of early Spanish colonialism, which are well maintained even today. Due to the influence of various races down the centuries, the Honduran people are a cultural blend of native Indians, Spanish and other nationalities.

Honduras has also enjoyed long lasting cultural, economic and political ties with the United States.

Twentieth-century Honduran painters include Arturo López Rodezno and Carlos Garay. The primitive landscape paintings of José Antonio Velásquez are much admired internationally.

Drums and the flute have been the musical instruments of the Indians even before the Spanish conquest. The most popular musical instrument in Honduras is marimba, which is quite alike the xylophone.

Honduran crafts include basket making, embroidery, leather, ceramics and woodcarving.

Honduras cuisine revolves around beans, rice, tortillas, fried bananas, meat, potatoes, cream and cheese.

A. Music

Popular music in Honduras is Mexican or American in origin.

The country's prehistoric capital of Comayagua is a significant center for contemporary Honduran music, and also features the College of Fine Arts.

Garifuna folk music and dance comprises of chumba and hunguhungu, which is a circular dance in a three beat rhythm and often combined with punta.

There are songs distinctive to each gender; eremwu eu and abaimajani songs are focused on woman while rhythmic cappella songs and laremuna wadauman are meant for men.

Matamuerte, gunchei, sambai and charikawi are the other forms of dance music.

Mexican and American melodies have had a pivotal role in shaping the course of music in modern Honduras. Honduras has presented to the world, talented musicians such as the singer-songwriter, Guillermo Anderson.

B. Language

The official language is Spanish. English is widely used as a second language.

The Indian tribes have their own distinct languages and dialects.

C. Religious Practices

Ethnic groups:

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%,

Amerindian 7%

Black 2%

White 1%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority

Roman Catholic and some Christian sects continue to adopt original primitive forms of worship.

In Honduras, practically 95 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. However, you will observe that there has been a rapid growth in people who have switched over to evangelical Protestant churches such as Methodists, Church of God, Seventh-Day Adventists, and Assemblies of God.

D. Major Events

Fiesta de San Isidro

May 2007 (annual)

La Ceiba, La Ceiba

This is the Honduras' carnival taking place each year in La Ceiba in honour of the city's patron saint. The carnival and festivities associated with it lasts for a week and feature lavishly costumed parades, dawn-to-dusk music and dancing and a huge parade.

Honduras Independence Day

15 Sep 2006 (annual)

Honduras -

Colorful parades are conducted to commemorate Independence day. They are fairly extensive and traffic comes to a halt on this day in all major towns across the country.

Morázan Day

3 Oct 2006 (annual)

Honduras -

Francisco Morázan is a national hero in Honduras. His birthday is a public holiday and there is widespread partying in his honor across the country.

Virgin of Suyapa Festival

2 - 3 Feb 2007 (annual)

Sanctuaria de Suyapa, Tegucigalpa

The Virgin of Suyapa stands eight centimeters high and she is worshipped with a passion worthy of a giant. You will come across pilgrims who come from all over the world in order to pray to the tiny wooden image.

Easter Week in Tegucigalpa

1 - 8 Apr 2007 (various dates)

Tegucigalpa

Easter Week celebrations in the Honduran capital feature impressive and stunning processions.

Feria Juniana

Jun 2007 (annual)

San Pedro Sula

Saint Juniana hosts a week of celebrations in honor of a local saint in San Pedro Sula.

Painting and Sculpture Exhibit -- July

The Honduran Institute of Hispanic Culture conducts an original demonstration by the painter, Francisco Ochoa and sculptor, Wilfredo Valeriano.

Information about the exhibition can be received by calling at 32-5578.

Painting and Handcrafts Exhibit -- August 3 -

The private grounds of the Museum of History and Anthropology of San Pedro Sula reveals a range of paintings, embroideries, clay artifacts and many other varieties in handicrafts made by local women.

Miss Honduras Pageant

The most attractive Honduran women compete in the Miss Honduras Pageant at Expocentro in San Pedro Sula.

E. Ettiquette / Do's and Don'ts

Do's

- Address a professional person by his or her title, especially while meeting for the first time or during initial acquaintance.

- Business people need to wear smart attires and dress smartly to offices and general meetings.

- Some dining rooms call for men to wear a jacket.

Don'ts

- Do not stroll alone as street crime is a common occurrence in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.

- Do not walk through the market area of Comayagüela after dark

- It is not safe to walk around late at night near the north coast beaches, and even during the daytime, in isolated places.