Pinatas in period
Origin
The origin of the pinata is difficult to determine. Some theorize that it came from China because Marco Polo wrote about similar items he observed on his travels, people crafting figures of cows, oxen or buffaloes of straw or earth and decorating them with colored paper, filled them with seeds and hitting them with sticks. This was to celebrate the beginning of spring and the plating season. 1 This celebration was called Dachunniu.
However, we do have to take with a grain of salt as there are many myths to what Marco Polo broght back, such as pasta. In the paper “From the Dachunniu to the Piñata: Tracing the Alleged Chinese Origin of a Mexican Tradition” Yong Chen goes over the possible connections. 2
Another origin could be the Lenten almsgiving by the rulers of Kingdom of Naples and the Two Sicilies. These alms were placed in simple cookware known as pignatta, an Italian word meaning “earthenware cooking pot”, and derived from the Latin word pinea, “pine cone” based on their shape. These pots would be broken open and the poor would receive their alms. Thus, the first Sunday of Lent became known as “Pignatta Sunday”.
The European piñata tradition was brought to Mexico in the 16th century by missionaries. The Aztec has a similTió de Nadalar tradition to celabrate the birth of the god Huītzilōpōchtli. Augustinian monks there modified European piñatas and created the Las Posadas tradition in 1585 to co-opt the celebration in efforts to convert the local populace.
Pinata-like Traditions
This is a list of traditions that are similar to the pinata, along with any holiday association and simple description. Further research is needed to see if there is any connection to the pinata.
Slå katten af tønden in Denmark-Christmas- in which a wooden barrel is struck to release candy.
Tió de Nadal in Catalonia-Chrismas-A log is hit to release candy.
Dahi Handi in Maharashtra India-Krishna Janmashtami-Clay pots filled with buttermilk, money or treats are hung in public squares or on streets at a height implicitly challenging youngsters to break them
Uri adithal-Southern India- Pot breaking with blindfold
Suikawari-Japan- splitting a watermelon with a stick while blindfolded
hampas-palayok or pukpok-palayok – Philippines - played during Filipino fiestas and traditional parties (e.g., birthdays), in which a clay pot filled with treats and/or prizes is used.
đập nêu (pot-hitting) Vietnamese.
Sources
https://english.visitbeijing.com.cn/article/47OO0LcyEs3
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40647-017-0179-6
https://ucatholic.com/blog/how-the-first-sunday-of-lent-inspired-the-pinata/
https://lateenz.com/a-smashing-success-the-surprising-origins-and-history-of-the-pinata/
