Fireball Day in Nejapa, El Salvador

The fireballs of Nejapa The fireballs is a tradition that takes place every year in Nejapa, department of San Salvador, every August 31. For example, some visitors enjoy the food prepared by some of the locals, the launching of the fireballs, and then the sunrise with the music of invited artists.

This is a very special celebration for the inhabitants of Nejapa and also for many people from other departments and foreigners who visit it, because all the streets of Nejapa are filled with this very peculiar atmosphere, although at the same time it is very dangerous.

According to the inhabitants of this place, the origin of this tradition consisting in the launching of fireballs has its origin in historical or religious facts. Two versions are known that could explain this; the first one refers to the fight between the patron saint of Nejapa San Jerónimo Doctor and the devil in which it is said that both threw fireballs at each other in a fight. A second version mentions that this tradition commemorates the fact that the eruption of the San Salvador volcano in 1917 did not harm this town. Both are popular stories that some villagers relate and relate to this celebration.