The culture of Tamaulipas , State of Mexico, is characterized by having a variety of musical, artistic, festive and traditional gastronomic expressions, derived from its historical process of social formation.
These cultural expressions, which result from the Creole and mestizo cultural mixture, are appreciated by the four cardinal points of the state, with distinct distinctive features very characteristic.
For example, a very particular characteristic is the dress of the Tamaulipas, with the cuera as the most emblematic dress. It also highlights his way of speaking.
It is possible to observe the cultural miscegenation of this region in its various galleries and museums, which show the pictorial and plastic work of its regional artists.
In the same way, their dances and music show a marked influence of northern and European dances and rhythms, such as the polka and the redova, the pillory and the huapango.
Traditions
The culture of Tamaulipas has a great musical and dance tradition, which comes from the happy spirit of its inhabitants.
The people of Tamaulipas are deeply religious. For this reason, religious festivities and popular festivities are celebrated throughout the year in honor of their patron saints. Various shows with traditional games and exhibitions are also organized.
It also has a cuisine rich in typical foods based on plant and animal products of the terrestrial and marine fauna of the region, which are prepared following exclusive traditional recipes.
Music and dances
The music and dances of Tamaulipas vary according to the region of the state. There are four established cultural regions: northern region, central region, southwest region and south coast or huasteca region.
In the northern region, traditional rhythms of European origin predominate, such as polka, chotis and redova, which arrived in this territory in the 19th century and were assimilated and incorporated into the local culture.
Nowadays, new rhythms have arisen from the fusion of northern music with other genres such as cumbia, the posrevolutionary corrido and band music. This musical movement is known as grupera music.
In the central region of Tamaulipas, traditional music is the pillory, which is accompanied by dances to the rhythm of instruments such as the tambora and the clarinet.
In the southwestern region, a semi-desert zone that served as the seat for the first Catholic missions that arrived in the state, the religious dances called"standing and riding"are preserved, as well as the processional dances organized by the community.
The huapango is traditional in the Huastec region. This musical genre is performed by troubadours with one or two guitars, the harp and a violin. It is danced tapped with quick steps on a wooden platform.
Art
Tamaulipas is a state with a great artistic and artisan tradition. In its museums, galleries and shops, popular art of local art is exhibited.
In this state you can see local and contemporary painting, sculptures and fine craftsmanship with pieces of ceramics exquisitely decorated, burnished or smoothed.
They also make handmade vessels, tule and lechuguilla fabrics, maguey fabrics, ixtle fabrics of sotol and somate, tule and rosette fabrics.
Part of the artistic movement of the state is also composed of fine saddlery, pottery in clay and glass, wooden toys, their typical dresses, seashells and decorated snails, among other manifestations.
Costume
The typical garment of Taulipas is the cuera. This suit has its origin in the dairy farms, where it was used to protect itself from the weather and the thorny branches. It is used equally by men and women.
It is a costume of calf leather or deer suede, handmade and sewn, with buttons covered or cut bone.
The most usual designs contain floral drawings, interspersed fretwork and many other geometric shapes.
In the parades and cultural events is used by musicians, singers and dancers in the performance of folk dances.
It is common to see this type of clothing in cities such as Tampico, Ocampo, Ciudad Victoria, Reynosa, Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo.
Gastronomy
The culinary Tamaulipas is very varied and is based on agricultural products or sea.
It includes an abundant list of beef and goat dishes, such as barbecues, beef cutlet, enchilado kid, pork tamales with chilpan and roast pork and mole.
Also they emphasize chochas, charro beans, stuffed crayfish, nopalitos, gorditas of oven, discada, atoles of corn of tile and of maguey honey and sweet tamales with champurrado.
Other important dishes are the prawns in broth or butter, the machaca with egg or in caldillo and the shrimp huatape.
As for its typical sweets, the traditional turrón de Tula, the wrapped child, the chichimbré, the pumpkin in tacha de piloncillo honey and the pontedo made with corn and piloncillo, among others, stand out.
Festivities and events
Tamaulipas Fair
This fair is held between the months of October and November, and consists of a series of dances, concerts, popular theater, wrestling matches, rodeo, palenque and attractions for children.
Tamaulipas International Festival
Also in the month of October, the Tamaulipas International Festival is celebrated, with the participation of national and international artists.
Its name was changed by the Identity Festival of Tamaulipas (FIT) in order to promote more regional culture.
Carnival
This celebration is organized in the Port of Tampico forty days before the celebration of Holy Week.
Religious festivities
- Candelaria Day (February)
- Santoral de San José (March)
- Day of the Holy Cross (May)
- Feast of San Isidro Labrador (May)
- Festival of San Antonio de Padua (June)
- Day of the Virgin of San Juan (July)
- The sweet names of Jesus
- Festivities of the Virgen del Carmen
- Our Lady of the Snows (August)
- San Francisco de Asís, the Virgin of the Rosary and San Judas Tadeo (October)
- Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, Virgin of Guadalupe and Christmas Eve (December)
References
- Traditions and customs. Accessed November 6, 2017 from tamaulipas.gob.mx
- Fair of Tamaulipas. Consulted of feria.tam.gob.mx
- Rivero Torres, José Manuel (2008) Tamaulipas, environment, history and customs. Government of the State of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Recovered from tamaulipas.gob.mx
- The popular art of the states of the Mexican Republic: Tamaulipas. Consulted by amigosmap.org.mx
- The cuisine of Tamaulipas. Consulted by amigosmap.org.mx
- Ramos Aguirre, Francisco (2010): Gastronomy. Tamaulipas, knowledge and flavors. Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas. Recovered from tamaulipas.gob.mx