by Ramona, age 8 from Asuncion, Paraguay, asks Santa for a Christmas jam recipe, the Guarani language, and Paraguay’s Nochebuena tradition.
Dear Santa, my name is Ramona, and I am eight years old. I live in Asuncion, Paraguay, where my abuela says we speak two languages at home, Spanish and an older language called Guarani.
Dear Ramona, a household fluent in two languages is always impressive, and I try my best to greet Paraguayan families in both, Guarani included.
Santa, I have three questions.
Can I get a Christmas jam recipe? My abuela wants to try making guava jam this year.
Absolutely, Ramona, guava jam sounds wonderful. Simmer chopped guava with a bit of sugar and a splash of lime juice until it thickens, then let it cool before jarring it up. Your abuela’s kitchen is about to smell absolutely incredible.
My teacher says Paraguay is one of the only countries where an indigenous language, Guarani, is official right alongside Spanish. Is that true?
It is true, Ramona, Guarani holds equal official status with Spanish in Paraguay, spoken proudly by people across the whole country. That kind of respect for an older, native language is a beautiful thing for a country to hold onto.
My abuela says our big Christmas Eve meal, Nochebuena, does not really start until very late at night. Is that true?
It is true, Ramona, many Paraguayan families gather for a grand Nochebuena meal that stretches late into the night, often celebrating right up until midnight. That late night table, full of family who traveled to be there, is really the heart of a Paraguayan Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Ramona Ortiz
Asuncion, Paraguay
P.S. Will you say Merry Christmas in Guarani when you visit?
I will do my very best, Ramona, that is one greeting worth practicing carefully.
