January 6th, Pascua de Negros
January 6th, Pascua de Negros, is a holiday of great importance to the Afro-descendant community, especially in northern Chile, in cities such as Arica and Iquique. The celebration has its roots in colonial times, when enslaved Africans, upon coming into contact with Western traditions, brought back the celebration of Epiphany, or Easter of the Kings, marked by the visit of the Three Wise Men to Jesus in Bethlehem.
Originally, black slaves celebrated Balthazar, one of the Three Wise Men, who according to tradition was black, as part of their religious identity. The date is also known as Three Kings Day or the Feast of Saint Balthazar in various parts of Latin America. The celebration brings the community together to share foods such as Easter bread, sweets and chocolate, as well as dances, symbolizing the offering of the Three Wise Men to the Baby Jesus.
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