The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BREAKING THE PINATA IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF EVERY
MEXICAN CHILD'S PARTY. A PINATA IS A CLAY COVERED
JAR COVERED WITH COLORFUL CREPE PAPER, IN THE SHAPE
OF SOME ANIMAL, BIRD, FLOWER, OR ANYTHING ATTRACTIVE.
THE PINATA IS FILLED WITH CANDY, POPCORN, MONEY, ETC.
THE PINATA IS SUSPENDED FROM THE CEILING AND LOWERED TO
THE PLAYERS' REACH. THE PLAYER CHOSEN TO BREAK THE
PINATA IS BLINDFOLDED. HE RECEIVES TWO CHANCES, BUT
JUST AS HE IS READY TO STRIKE THE PINATA, IT IS PULLED
UP AND OUT OF HIS REACH. EACH PLAYER IN TURN GETS
TWO STRIKES AT THE PINATA, BUT USUALLY THE HOST
OR HOSTESS BREAKS IT. WHEN IT BREAKS, EACH PLAYER
SCRAMBLES TO GET ALL THAT HE CAN.

Data entry tech comment: PRONOUNCED "PINYATA"

Where learned: SCHOOL

Date learned: NOT GIVEN