Ecuadorian holidays, though similar to the ones in the United States, are celebrated very differently, though the concepts remain the same. Nine days before Christmas, Novenas start. Novenas are house tours where people can admire others' decorations. For the children, they send a wish list to Santa Claus via a shoe. The kids stuff their lists into an old shoe.
New Year's is also an interesting comparison. In Ecuador, it is common to make a dummy out of the old clothes of the past year and then burn it. It symbolizes the passing of the old year and the starting of the new. In order to receive the joy of New Years, many people think that the best way to do that is to dress up as a clown.
A holiday that is primarily Ecuadorian is the Battle of Pichincha day on May 24th. Pichinacha is a volcano where the battle occurred. The volcano is right next to the capital, Quito. The day marks an important battle between the Patriots of Ecuador and the Royalists. The Patriots were lead by Antonio Jose de Sucre and the Royalists were led by Melchor Aymerich. The Patriots won which allowed for the liberation of Quito. The providence that was liberated would become the Republic of Ecuador.
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