Do you know what a piñata is? If you do and have ever been to a party with Piñatas, you have seen grown ups and kids running around giggling while hunting for the treasures coming out of this Pandora’s box made out of papier-maché.

Now commonly associated with Mexico, piñatas were originally created and used as talismans or omens meant to produce good weather for the coming growing season in ancient China. The tradition arrived in Europe in the 14th century where they began to be associated with the Christian celebration of Lent. The tradition was  finally brought by the Spanish conquerors to the Americas around the 16th century; however, there was a similar tradition in Mesoamerica already. Both the Mayan and Aztec civilizations used to break clay pots made in the images of gods during celebrations.

While the religious significance has been mostly lost, in Mexico the piñatas  remain most popular during the December celebration of  Las Posadas, and birthday parties as well. In other Latin American countries, like Colombia, piñatas are also commonly part of  the Catholic celebration of the first communion. In Chile, many believe that there’s no birthday party worth the time unless there is an impressive piñata to be broken.  Indeed piñatas are popular additions to children’s birthday parties in many Latin-American countries — Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Panama.