December 7

For the last few days among the normal variety of piñatas, Strawberry Shortcake, Sponge Bob, Bob the Builder, Buzz Lightyear, Dora the Explorer, etc, that are sold in nearly every neighborhood of Guatemala a figure of the Devil has made his appearance once again. Various sizes are available but each one is of a figure plastered with red tissue paper, black cloven feet, black beard and hair and two small black horns on top of his head. On his back is a cape and on his wire supported chest is a seven.

Yesterday, I even saw one make shift devil market pop up in the parking lot of a church on the main route to San Cristobal. The market contained little devils of all sizes, and a few Christmas lights, pictures of the Holy Family and knee high wooden sheep.

Today, December 7, all over Guatemala people will take part in the annual burning of the devil. In homes and some parks at 6:00pm, Guatemalans will beat the devil and then burn him. Once the fire has died out, we will sweep out of our homes and into the street all the filth, dirt, dust, cockroaches... and the devil will leave our homes with all the filth that he brings. A Spring cleaning if you will.

And tomorrow… It is my belief that the venders simply take off the seven, remove the horns and replace the black hair and beard for white and sell the devil piñatas as Santa.