Belonging and national identity in the Nicaraguan newspapers La Prensa 1939-1940 and La Noticia 1941-1949

Abstract

This article examines the representations of Nicaraguan national belonging and identity disseminated in La Prensa 1939-1940 and La Noticia 1941-1949. To achieve this goal, educational texts, bombs, folk songs, poems and corridos were selected from issues published during the celebration of independence (September 15), the “Columbus Day” (October 12) and the celebration of “La Purísima” (December 8). Texts published in La Prensa sought to foster a sense of national belonging among readers by promoting the country´s values, culture and history. Likewise, other images of Nicaraguan national identity were advanced, such as the inditas of Masaya dance, devotion to the Marian cult, bombas and folk songs. In La Noticia’s, the use of the national flag stands out as a means of fostering a strong feeling of belonging and social cohesion.