Diriomo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Diriomo
Municipality
Nickname(s):  Pueblo de Brujos Pueblos Blancos ("Witches' Village; White Towns")
Diriomo Location in Nicaragua
Country	Nicaragua
Department	Granada
Area
• Municipality	19.3 sq mi (50.1 km2)
Population  (2022 estimate)
• Municipality	34,381
• Density	1,777.4/sq mi (686.2/km2)
• Urban	16,946
Time zone	Central Standard Time
Climate	Aw

Diriomo is a cool town and a special area called a municipality in the Granada department of Nicaragua. It's found on a flat area near the amazing Mombacho Volcano. Diriomo is between the towns of Masatepe and Granada. It's about 48 kilometers (or 30 miles) away from Managua, the capital city. Around 34,000 people live in the Diriomo area.

Discover Diriomo's Past

The name Diriomo comes from an old language called Nahuatlaca. It means 'foreign' or 'from another place'. Long ago, before the Spanish arrived, the area was home to the Chorotega tribe. Other nearby places like Diriangén, Nicarao, and Diriá were also part of their lands.

Diriomo is one of the 'White Towns,' or Pueblos Blancos. Other towns like Nindiri, San Juan de Oriente, and Catarina are also part of this group. They are called 'White Towns' because their houses and buildings are painted with a special white mix. This mix is made from water, salt, and lime. These towns show strong traditions from before Europeans came to America. They keep alive the history of Nicaragua's native people.

Fun Places to Visit

Diriomo and its surroundings offer some interesting spots for visitors.

• Laguna de Apoyo is a beautiful natural reserve. It's a great place to enjoy nature.
• La Casa de las Cajetas is a local spot. Here you can find cajetas, which are traditional fruit-based sweets.
• The Granadilla Community is a group of local farmers. They welcome tourists to see how they live in the countryside. You can rent horses and bikes here. You can also go on oxcart tours and even find places to stay overnight.

Exciting Festivals and Events

The Virgen de Candelaria in the February 2nd celebrations in Diriomo

Diriomo celebrates its main festival every year. It honors the Virgen de Candelaria. The celebrations run from January 21st to February 9th. The biggest day is February 2nd. The statue of the Virgin holds a candle in one hand and baby Jesus in the other.

The Miracle of La Raya

The statue of the Virgin is taken to a place called La Raya. People believe she performed a big miracle there. In 1835, she saved the town from danger during a volcanic eruption. On February 2nd, during a special church service, people bring candles. These candles are blessed and represent the light of Christ.

Festival Fun and Food

During the festival, Diriomo becomes very lively. Thousands of people come from all over Nicaragua. Tourists also visit to experience the fun. You can try a traditional corn drink called chicha bruja. There are also tasty foods like rosquillas, which are corn cookies. And don't forget the cajetas, the local fruit sweets!

Traditional Dances

Many traditional dances are performed for the Virgin. These include:

• Las Inditas
• Los Diablitos
• La Sirena

See Also

In Spanish: Diriomo para niños