Culture of La Esperanza

agriculture, which is the mainstay of most residents, especially the Lenca people. Due to its uniquely cool climate, the department is able to produce products that other departments cannot including potatoes, strawberries and apples. La Esperanza is famous for its daily farmers market which draws vendors and shoppers from around the department. Lenca farmers arrive from the surrounding communities and sell their fruits and vegetables in the street while some La Esperanza residents manage permanent wooden stalls. Produce available includes lettuce, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, yuca, onions, cilantro, apples, blackberries, mangoes, pineapple, bananas, platanos, avocadoes, grapes, peaches and strawberries. The busiest market days are Saturday and Sunday.

Celebrations

As in the rest of Honduras, the majority of the population is Roman Catholic, with a growing percentage of Evangelicals. As such, Christmastime or Navidad and Holy Week preceding Easter, called Semana Santa, are major times of celebration. Christmas Eve, known as Nochebuena, is celebrated with a late-night dinner with family and friends followed by lighting off fireworks at midnight. For Holy Week, there is generally a series of processions and activities, with Good Friday, Viernes Santo having the largest procession and alfombras, designed carpets on the street made of colored sawdust. Most businesses are closed Thursday and Friday of Holy Week since they are national holidays. In addition to Christmas and Easter, several other annual festivals and holidays are celebrated including:

Artisan Festival (Feria de Artesanía de La Ruta Lenca) - February

Anniversary of the Department of Intibucá - April 16

Wine and Mushroom Festival (Feria de Vino y Chorros) –