By Jennifer Lubrani
I am not superstitious. I especially don’t follow all those silly New Year’s rituals that so many perform year after year. That is until one member from the Colombian side of my family turned me into a New Year’s superstition believer. 
You see, in Colombia, there’s a tradition that when the clock strikes twelve, you take a packed bag and run around the block so that in the upcoming New Year, you will ensure being rewarded with lots of travel.
And since I love to travel, I decided to try my luck one year. I packed a small bag and took to the streets at midnight. And let me tell you, it worked! That year, I traveled to about 10 new destinations – some for business, other for pleasure.
So as 2009 comes to an end, you better believe I have my bags packed and am ready for my jaunt around the block at the stroke of midnight tonight.
For good measure, I’ve looked into other Latin American superstitions in hopes of additional wishes come true – more money, better health, or good luck all year.
Before I settle on another superstition to follow, I thought I’d share some with you:
Mexico
Traditionally, what you wear on New Year’s Eve is thought to influence your destiny during the next 12 months. Dressing in white from head to toe invites good vibrations and assures a good year spiritually. Wearing green can help you obtain a year of good health. And wearing red underwear is said to bring love, while yellow underwear brings wealth. In case you had any doubts about the state of Mexico’s economy, the New York Times Economix blog noted that yellow undies have been flying off the shelves as 2009 winds down.
Cuba
In Cuban there is tradition of throwing a bucket of water out of a window in order to get rid of bad spirits or ghosts.
Spain
There is a very popular ritual in Spain of eating 12 red grapes (saying a wish before eating each of them so that throughout the year, the wishes will be granted). This is one of the most popular New Year’s superstitions that stretches across several other Latin American countries like Mexico, Colombia and Cuba.
Argentina
If you are looking for good luck in 2010, make sure to wear pink underwear— as this is what they believe to be the color of luck on New Yea’s Eve.
Ecuador
“Ano Viejo” or “Old Year“ is celebrated by creating a scarecrow looking doll that is dressed and stuffed with old newspapers and firecrackers. The dummy is usually placed outside the home and represents something that happened during the last year. At midnight each family lights the scarecrow doll on fire. The symbolizes saying good bye to the past and letting the new year begin.
Colombia
While different Latin American countries believe certain colors represent luck, if you want to follow their tradition, make sure you wear yellow underwear inside out for good luck in the New Year. For Brazil, they believe it just has to be new.
Dominican Republic
You’ll draw luck if you wear red or yellow undies and dress in light colors.
Follow Jennifer on Twitter at @meningioma
on Jan 1st, 2010 at 11:41 am
on Jan 1st, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Funny. In Chile one year we took a suitcase up and down the stairs. Then we ate 12 grapes. After that we ate 3 spoonfuls of lentils, one for love, money, and health. It was fun.
on Jan 1st, 2010 at 11:36 pm
I already have love so I don’t need the red undies, but I could do with yellow and pink undies.
on Jan 2nd, 2010 at 9:09 am
Sara, I never thought about just using the stairs instead of running around a whole block!
Caitlin, I definitely tried yellow for luck this year. Congrats on being so lucky in love!
on Jan 2nd, 2010 at 11:30 am
We just experienced our first new year’s in Peru–drinking in the Plaza de Armas while setting off fireworks next to the Cathedral, followed by a jog (stumble) around the Plaza after the stroke of midnight.
Yellow undies were definitely the in thing–hundreds of styles and degrees of scandilousness, all in the same shade of lemon-merengue yellow. “Meant to bring good luck at midnight,” said the shop owner of a lacy yellow thong. I bet they do!
Thanks for the article. I’ll definitely do the packed bag thing next year!
on Jan 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 am
I’m American, living in Ecuador and have to say there is a lot more going on in Ecuador then just burning dummies, as thats only the 1/2 of it.
What is more unique to Ecuador is that the men dress up as women and beg for money. When I say beg I mean they stop cars in the street and refuse to move until they get their drinking money for the night. It was the craziest New Years I have ever see and can’t compare it to anything else that I know of.
Check out the post I did on it here, as the photos are priceless! lol
http://www.foggodyssey.com/2010/01/03/what-i-did-for-new-years/
on Jan 4th, 2010 at 8:15 am
Thanks, Jennifer. Such a charming post! It takes me back to my childhood in Puerto Rico. There, in the small towns in the center of the island, families would gather and do a version of carrolling, singing house to house and playing typical instruments (guitarra, guiro, maracas). Around midnight on New Year’s eve, everyone would gather (the more the merrier) at a large family house and everyone would cry, give thanks to God and share blessings, memories (and drinks) to usher in the new year. I remember nearly everyone would cry, though. And those more daring would set off clandestine fireworks. To this day my mom buys grapes and eats 12 grapes for luck. Oh, and we try to wear something new on New Year’s day!
on Jan 8th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
[...] other absurd New Years’ traditions is highlighted by Jennifer Lubrani’s (@meningioma) guest post on Stephen Roll’s (@travelojos)excellent blog Travelojos. So, after some much needed time off [...]