GEOFFREY COBB
Author, “Greenpoint Brooklyn’s Forgotten Past”
gcobb91839@Aol.com
A few years ago, I was driving towards the BQE on a cold blustery early January day, not unlike the recent cold snap we have been having, when I was shocked to see a camel at the intersection of Graham Avenue and Meeker Avenues. Much to my delight, I realized that the camel was part of an old Hispanic tradition that is still celebrated in our area, the Feast of the Three Kings, a beautiful part of Puerto Rican and Latinx heritage that will be on display this week.
The Feast of the Three kings has its roots in Spanish and Latin American Catholic culture. The feast is a celebration of the Epiphany, the day the Three Kings, or Three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, reached Bethlehem, after a 12-day journey guided by a star, to where baby Jesus lay. The Kings, who arrived by camel, brought gold, frankincense, myrrh, and annotated oil to Jesus. According to Hispanic tradition, on the Epiphany before going to sleep, children leave grass or hay under their beds, or in their shoes, for the camels that carry the Three Kings on their travels to deliver gifts to children around the world. In the morning, children find gifts in place of the hay and families have a big celebration. Inspired by the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Infant, in many Hispanic cultures families also celebrate the day with an exchange of gifts. Another tradition is the eating of a Roscon de Reyes (King’s Ring). This sweet bread shaped like a wreath has a figurine of a baby Jesus baked inside. Customarily, the person who finds the figurine is expected to host a party on Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas), celebrated on February 2nd.
Three Kings Day is widely celebrated in Spain and across much of Latin America, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Colombia, and parts of Central and South America. There are celebrations across New York City in areas where Puerto Rican and other Latino immigrants have settled including East Harlem, The Lower East Side and Williamsburg/Greenpoint. In Puerto Rico towns across the island, from San Juan to Ponce, hold vibrant celebrations every January 6 th . For many in the Latinx and Caribbean communities, this day represents faith, unity, and cultural resilience. It is a living and vital link for New York Hispanics to the culture and faith of their roots and one that they are fighting to keep alive.
Saturday January 10 th the Southside Williamsburg Hispanic community organization El Puente will hold its thirty-ninth annual Feast of the Three Kings celebration from 10- 6 at 211 South 4th St., Williamsburg with a parade. When the first feast day was celebrated almost forty years ago, there was a huge Hispanic presence in the area, but as a result of gentrification the Hispanic population, which comprised fifty percent of residents in 2010 is now down under 20%, but organizers of the festivities are determined to keep the tradition going. Parade founder and president, Radames Millan, says that the event was begun so that young Hispanics are aware of and continue to preserve the culture of their parents and ancestors. The parade often includes colorful floats, dancers in colorful Mexican costumes, a stilt walker waving the Puerto Rican flag, local merchants advertising their wares and of course vibrant Hispanic music. A Padrino, which literally means Godfather is chosen from the community as a special honoree of the parade. Two Madrinas, or Godmothers are also honored in the parade.
El Puente’s celebration features singing, dancing, acting by local elementary to high school students, highlighting their roles as future leaders. The tradition also blends culture with advocacy, focusing on important community themes like peace, justice, self-determination, and environmental sustainability, the same themes that inspired El Puente’s legendary late founder Jose Garden Acosta to found this community service organization.
Each year El Puente chooses a theme for the feast. Last year the theme was Planting a seed, honoring children as future leaders and focusing on nurturing their potential for peace and justice. For El Puente the celebration is also a means for local Hispanics to affirm their identity and culture, while maintaining their unique traditions, even in a new setting.
Another celebration of the Feast of the Three Kings will take place Tuesday January 6 th at the Moore Street market 110 Moore St., Williamsburg and the free celebration will include hot chocolate, gifts, and arts & crafts. Even if you are not Hispanic, the Feast of the Three Kings celebration is lively festive and rhythmic offering a fun way to learn about the rich Hispanic heritage of North Brooklyn. Come out and enjoy the fun.