Independence!

Today is Honduran Independence Day. September 15th, 1821, Honduras, along with the rest of Central America, gained their independence from Spain. Subsequently, they became part of the Mexican empire for 17 years before becoming their own republic.

In Copan Ruinas, it is celebrated annually with all the school children parading through the center park with HUGE drums and marching bands. Some are dressed up in typical garb, some are in typical marching band outfits, some are simply in their school uniforms marching with their classes. The whole town comes out to see the parade. For weeks before Independence Day, drums and xylophones can be heard nightly at least until ten o'clock as the groups from the different schools perfect their beats.

For me, one of the most exciting parts of the parade is recognizing the children as they march. I found out today that it isn't Honduran custom to yell out to children and wave as they pass. In fact, we were slightly being jeered at by those standing around us. I decided not to care what the locals thought and clapped and cheered for all the kids I knew, snapping shots and making a scene like my mother did for us as children.

The picture here is of Brayan, one of the kids from Camp Hope. He's in 4th grade at Amigos, a private Christian school in town, and takes a LOT of pride in his drumming. For the past few weeks his attendance at camp has been inconsistent mostly because he's been practicing his drumming and going to team practices every afternoon. He goes all out. He's got a great sense of rhythm and as he drums you can tell that he loves it. His mother, naturally, is very proud of him as well.