Culture and Customs of Nicaragua

by Steven F. White, Esthela Calderón

Throughout its history Nicaragua has been plagued by corruption, social and racial inequality, civil unrest, and foreign interference. Yet despite being the second poorest nation in South America, Nicaragua maintains a rich and vibrant culture that reflects its strong Catholic devotion, diverse indigenous roots, and overwhelming zest for life. Culture and Customs of Nicaragua introduces students and general readers to Nicaragua's unique blend of religious and traditional holidays, so numerous that the country is said to be in a constant state of celebration; its growing film industry; its many styles of dance, the popular street theatre open to all bystanders; important contributions to Spanish literature, local cuisines, architecture, social norms, and more. Readers learn what it is like to live in one of Latin America's most disillusioned countries but also discover the passionate culture that defines and sustains the Nicaraguan people.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Steven F White was born in Abington, Pennsylvania in 1955 and was raised in Glencoe, Illinois. He received a B.A. in English from Williams College and an M.A. in Spanish and Hispanic American literature from the University of Oregon. White has translated and edited anthologies of poetry from Nicaragua, Chile and Brazil. With Greg Simon, he translated Federico García Lorca’s Poet in New York.

His recent books include a translation of the screenplay for Cruz e Sousa: The Banished Poet by Brazilian filmmaker Sylvio Back, the anthology Ayahuasca Reader: Encounters with the Amazon’s Sacred Vine and Fire that Engenders Fire, a book of poems in a bilingual edition.

He currently teaches in the Department of Modern Languages at St. Lawrence University.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*