Country Nicaragua Time zone Central Standard Time Area 50 km² Population 10,113 (18 Jan 2012) | Department Granada Climate Aw Local time Wednesday 1:43 AM | |
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Weather 22°C, Wind E at 8 km/h, 84% Humidity | ||
Diriomo is a municipality in the Granada department of Nicaragua.
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Map of Diriomo, Nicaragua
Located on a plateau near the Mombacho Volcano, between Masatepe and Granada. Diriomo is 48 kilometers from the capital, Managua.The population of Diriomo is approximately 24,000.
History
The name of Diriomo comes from the native language of Nahuatlaca, meaning foreign. Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the town belonged to a tribe belonging to the Chorotegas, which also belonged to the neighboring areas of Diriangén, Nicarao and Diriá.
Diriomo is also considered part of the White Towns, or Pueblos Blancos, along with Nindiri, San Juan de Oriente, San Marcos, Niquinohomo, Masatepe, Catarina, and Diria.These towns take this name due to the whitewash on their houses and buildings, made from water, salt and lime. The White Towns are known to represent strong Nicaraguan pre-Columbian traditions, dating to before the arrival of the European colonizers.
Places of Interest
The Granadilla is a group of local farmers who allow tourists to view how they live in their rural settings. This destination offers tourists the chance to rent horses and bikes, go on oxcart tours, and offers lodging.
Festivals and Events
Diriomo celebrates the patron festivities from January 21- February 9, with February 2nd as the main day, every year in honor of the Virgen de Candelaria.The Virgin de Candelaria holds a candle in her right hand and baby Jesus on the other.The image of the Virgen is taken to La Raya, the place where it is believed she made one of her biggest miracle of saving the town from death during the volcanic eruption of the Cosigüina in 1835. During the mass on February 2 there is a tradition to bless the candles people bring, which are a representation of the light of Christ.
During this time the pacific environment turns into a busy time with thousands of people coming from all over the country, nearby municipalities and as a tourist destination. People attending can enjoy the traditional drink known as chicha bruja, an alcoholic corn drink. Other traditional foods for the occasion include rosquillas, a corn masa cookie, and cajetas, a local fruit based sweet.During the celebration there are traditional dances offered to the Virgen, including Las Inditas, Los Diablitos y la Sirena.