I loved Chilean Independence Day celebrations last year and started counting down the days for its return as soon as it ended. This year, I received a special crash course in all things Chilenidad, or “Chilean-ness,” at the school where I teach.

The students worked on presentations for weeks, which culminated in two days of festivities before school let out for the holiday. The kids dressed up, performed the national dance, cooked traditional cuisine, sang and played instruments to historical music and presented information about how each region of their country celebrates Chilenidad and Fiestas Patrias.

Chilean Independence Day celebrations last at least a week and are like no other. The festivities include many unique foods and traditions that we don’t get to experience during the rest of the year. Many of my students are Peruvian immigrants, who joined right in on their new country’s culture — raving with me that there is nothing quite like “el Dieciocho” in our home countries.

With its unique Chilean flair, some things just can’t be translated when it comes to celebrating Fiestas Patrias, but here’s a mini-dictionary with some help from my students.

 

almejas a la Parmesana: Fresh muscles baked in a lemon butter sauce and parmesan cheese.

anticucho: Meat and onions marinated in a garlic sauce, barbecued and served on skewers.

asado: Barbecue, used to describe the event or food.

bandera de Chile: The Chilean flag. It is Chilean law to hang the flag in front of every public building for Fiestas Patrias. Although it is no longer strictly enforced (It’s a dictatorship-era rule), nearly everyone displays the flag anyway. Flagpoles, apartment balconies, car antennas and any type of decor possible is covered with the Chilean flag for all of September.

cazuela: A chicken broth-like stew with chicken, corn and other vegetables. It is especially popular in the south of Chile.

ceviche: Although Chile’s neighbor Peru is more famously known for its ceviche, the dish is also popular along the coast in northern Chile.

chicha: A corn-based alcoholic beverage. It is extremely sweet and strong.

Chilenidad: Chilean-ness. The month of September, especially the week of Fiestas Patrias, is meant for celebrating Chilenidad, or all things Chilean.

choripan: Chorizo sausage cooked on the barbecue, then topped with choices of avocado, pebre (salsa similar to pico de gallo), ketchup or mustard. Served on a bread roll.

cola de mono: The literal translation is “monkey’s tail.” It is a typical drink, similar to a White Russian in texture and taste. It consists of aguardiente, or “firewater,” a generic liquor with 40 to 60%  alcohol content, mixed with sugar, milk and coffee.

cueca: The national dance, which mimics chickens mating, is a series of stomping steps and half-moon formations. Women wear flowered dresses while men use the huaso or cowboy attire. Both “flirt” with each other while hiding behind or waving a handkerchief.

cumbia: A cultural fusion of music that originated on the coast of South America, but was heavily influenced by slaves from Africa. Often includes many rhythmic and percussion instruments like many types of drums, tambourine, trumpets and other horns, as well as traditionally-crafted instruments. In modern Chile, many musicians are combining the style with more rock influences.

el Dieciocho: September 18 commemorates Chile’s start in the process toward independence from Spain in 1810. More formally, the day is known as “Fiestas Patrias.”

empanadas: Similar to the American “hot pocket.” Chilean empanadas can be fried or baked, and usually are filled with cheese or pino, a meat, onions and olive mix that also includes a hard-boiled egg.

Fiestas Patrias: A celebration of Chilean independence on Sept. 18, or el Dieciocho. Although the holiday is officially the 18th and the 19th (Army Day), work is often also suspended for a few days on either side, resulting in a week-long celebration of everything Chilean.

fonda: Outdoor festival featuring music, carnival games and vendors of food and drink. Dancing, typical games and rodeos are also often hosted at fondas.

huaso: Chilean cowboy. Clothing generally includes boots with spurs, hat, plaid collared shirt and poncho.

huaso elegante: The clothes for a more formal “huaso,” which includes long black dress or dress pants, white shirt (with ruffles for women) and  a black hat.

mote con huesillo: A popular Chilean drink made from the sweet nectar of dried peaches cooked in water, sugar and cinnamon (huesillo) and served with cooked wheat (mote).

pañuelo: Handkerchief used in the cueca dance.

pan amasado: Delicious Chilean homemade bread.

parada militar: Sept. 19, Army Day, is typically celebrated with a huge parade, featuring every branch of the military and police force. It is inaugurated by the president and this year, featured 8,000 participants.

pastel de choclo: “Corn Pie” is a dish of sweet corn ground to make a paste. It is combined with milk, lard, chicken, raisins, onions and other ingredients depending on the version.

piscola: Chile’s national drink, which consists of Coke and pisco, a grape-based brandy.

pisco sour: A cocktail made with pisco, lime, sweet syrup and egg whites.

porotos granados: A bean-based dish made with garlic, tomatoes, corn and peppers.

quincho: The barbecue grill.

rayuela: Hopscotch.

terremoto: A drink whose name translates to “earthquake” because of the tremor it will give you after one glass. It’s made with pipeño, a grape-stock liquor, pineapple ice cream and fernet or grenadine.

tirar la cuerda: Tug-of-war

volantín: Kite. As soon as September starts, vendors sell kites up and down every street. Families head to the park all weeklong during Fiestas Patrias, and kites dot the sky in every direction.

In a country where I constantly feel like an outsider, it was great to be included in such a fun, festive cultural time. Watching the excitement on my students’ faces as they became “the teachers” made me feel more connected to Chile as they provided fantastic lessons for my Dieciocho holiday. Felices Fiestas Patrias, Chile!

—JDF