The culture of Guanajuato It is one of the Mexican cultures in which the influence of Catholicism is most observed. In fact, many of the parties in this state are directly related to the Catholic Church.
Some examples of this are the celebrations that are made during the Holy Week, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the day of the Virgin of Dolores and the day of San Ignacio de Loyola.
It is necessary to highlight that in recent years the presence of other religions besides the Catholic one has been evident in the state, among which Christian religions such as Evangelicals, Asians such as Buddhism and spiritualists like Santeria stand out.
The traditions of Guanajuato show the aboriginal roots. This is evident in some dances, such as the dance of the paloteros.
The indigenous influence is also seen in the cuisine, which include tamales and beet water, among other dishes.
The 4 main cultural manifestations of Guanajuato
1- Gastronomy
The state of Guanajuato is located between two mountainous formations. The valleys that cover this territory are very fertile, so it is possible to find a great variety of agricultural products.
In addition to this, Guanajuato is known for the production of dairy products and their derivatives. All this makes the cuisine of this state is very rich and varied.
The best known drinks in the state are beet water, which is beet juice, and strawberry liquor.
The best known dishes of this state are:
The San Miguel de Allende style cold cuts
It is a sausage that is eaten cold and prepared in the locality that gives it its name.
The nopalitos
They are the fruit of the cactus. These are served with potatoes, boiled eggs, tomatoes, hot peppers, oregano and shrimp.
The lamprey frog legs
To prepare this dish, the extremities of the frogs are cooked in a tomato sauce and wine.
The jamoncillo
It is a dessert that is prepared with peanuts, pumpkin seeds, nuts and other nuts. All this is mixed with milk and sugar.
The charamusca
Dessert that is prepared with white or brown sugar, grated coconut and peanuts. The sugar is mixed with water and heated until a molasses forms.
Then add the fruits and knead and twist until it cools.
2- Parties
Among the most important holidays in the state, the following stand out:
Friday of the Virgin of Dolores
The Virgin of Dolores, patron of the miners, is honored on the Friday before Easter. Altars in honor of this virgin are made in the houses of Guanajuato and in the mines of the state.
During this day it is customary to make floral arrangements and give them to women, friends or family.
Easter
Holy Week is celebrated between March and April; its date depends on the festive calendar of the Catholic Church.
Guanajuato being one of the most Catholic states in Mexico, the celebrations around Holy Week are of great importance.
Throughout the week, masses and processions are performed in which the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus is represented. It is also customary to visit seven temples during Holy Thursday.
Day of the taking of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas
On September 28, Alhóndiga takes place. During this day, the confrontation of 1810 between the Spanish and the Mexican insurgents, which were led by Father Miguel Hidalgo, is commemorated.
This confrontation was one of those that began the war for the independence of Mexico.
In Guanajuato there is a civic-military parade, in which students from state schools and the armed forces participate.
International Cervantino Festival
The Cervantino International Festival has been held in Guanajuato since 1972 and lasts for one month. It was named in honor of Miguel Cervantes de Saavedra.
In this festival there are book fairs, theatrical presentations, presentations with Mexican and international authors, among other activities.
Ferie de Alfeñique
The Fair of Alfeñique is celebrated between the last week of October and the first of November. In this fair various desserts are sold.
As the date coincides with the celebration of the Day of the Dead, allusive sweets are sold, such as skulls of sugar and bread of the dead.
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
The celebration in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe takes place on December 12. This Marian advocation is the patron saint of Mexico, so this feast is of great importance.
3- Dances
The most popular dances of Guanajuato are the following:
Dance of the bull
The dance of the bull is a tradition of the colonial era. This dance represents a scene that unfolds on a hacienda: a bull escapes and begins to threaten the workers of the plantation.
The landowner tries to catch him without getting favorable results. It is here when other characters are added to the dance.
The dancers are a man dressed as a bull, the hacendado, a charro, a drunkard, a hunchback, the devil and death.
Dance of the paloteros
The dance of the paloteros is a tradition of the aboriginal groups of Guanajuato.
The dancers make offerings to the gods, especially the Sun and the Moon, in order that they intervene favorably in agriculture, in the collection and in other areas of Aboriginal life.
The dancers are men dressed in shorts that perform slow and delicate movements, as if it were a martial art.
4- Religion
Guanajuato is considered one of the most Catholic states in Mexico. However, surveys conducted in recent years by the Institute of Statistics of Mexico show that 200 thousand Guanajuato people belong to a religion other than Catholic, and that 72 thousand are atheists.
Of the 200,000 non-Catholic believers, 180,000 belong to Christian churches, such as Orthodox, Adventists, Evangelicals, Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestant churches.
The remaining 20,000 belong to diverse religions, among which Judaism, Islam, Spiritualism and Buddhism stand out.
References
- Culture in Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from visitmexico.com.mx
- Culture of Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from explorandomexico.com
- Famous Festivals and Celebrations in Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from donquijote.org
- Festivals and Traditions. Guanajuato Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from visitguanajuato.com.mx
- Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from visitmexico.com
- Guanajuato, Mexico. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from sunofmexico.com
- Guanajuato, Mexico. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from ruelsa.com
- Traditional Foods of Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from backyardnature.net