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July 20 - Lempira Day

Today is the Day of the Indian Lempira in Honduras.  I know so much more about Lempira than I knew two weeks ago.  Apparently, Lempira’s greatest claim to fame is not that the currency in Honduras is named for him.  (One lempira is approximately five cents.)  Lempira was an Indian* chief of great renown.  He unified more than 200 Indian tribes that had been ancient revivals in an effort to expel the Spanish from Honduras.  Lempira had much success until 1537, when according to tradition, he was called to a peace conference with the Spanish war leader and during the talks, obviously going poorly for the Spanish, Lempira was betrayed and felled by an arrow in the forehead.  Following the death of their brave leader, the native warriors scattered, and the rest is in the history books.
(*I am using the word Indian, because that is the term used by the people when they speak of the indigenous people of the country.) 

In ALFA school where some of our children attend, this day was celebrated by a gran fiesta and featured traditional costumes and foods, a program of song, skits, and dance, and booths with displays of information detailing the researched information of one of the 18 Departments of Honduras.

During the past few weeks, the kids we work with have been frantically researching well-known (and little known facts) about their country.  They worked to assemble poster boards, fact books, recipe books, and hand-made atlases.  There is always some money required to support such endeavours.  We joked as we provided money for the students to prepare food to be served at the fiesta - we could purchase back the food we paid for.  Many lempiras in circulation in honour of Chief Lempira.  Seems appropriate, don’t you agree?

Our students involved in this included Oscar, Jessie, Karla, Nelson, Leidy, Geyzi, and Carlos.  Jacee and Jose were required to stay in their class while their older siblings, parents, and students from another school fiesta-ed.  In real trooper form, the kids and their mamas climbed on their bus with prepared food in pans and bowls, and giant posters of information – at 5:00 – in the morning!  When I arrived for the program at 9:30, the booths were assembled, and the tables and posters were in place.  The judges had already interviewed the groups.  While this one day required so much effort, it will be a day the kids will always remember.  They have learned about and celebrated their country. This is how the traditions of the country are remembered. Without a doubt, the kids are going to be ready for a good night’s sleep tonight – hopefully without visions of the warrior Lempira dancing in their heads. 

Happy Lempira Day!!















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