Culture of Yucatan: Traditions, Gastronomy and Main Characteristics

The culture of Yucatan It can be represented in its theaters, art galleries, libraries and museums. Particularly noteworthy is the contemporary art gallery that is named Museum of Contemporary Art Ateneo de Yucatán (MACAY).

Yucatan has a great cultural attraction that has managed to stand out thanks to the governmental effort and the cooperation among its inhabitants for helping to conserve archaeological zones and colonial cities.

Culture of Yucatan: Traditions, Gastronomy and Main Characteristics

In addition, the Yucatecans have been responsible for highlighting their musical styles at the regional and national levels. For example, the jarana is one of the native dances of the territory that sometimes accompanies them.

The mixture between the Hispanic influence and the indigenous origin have characterized these cultural representations for several centuries.

Cultural manifestations of Yucatan

1- Music

The music of Yucatan is known as the Yucatan trova. This achieved great popularity at the beginning of the 20th century.

In the Yucatan trova the mixture of its rhythms stands out, among which are the bambuco, the bolero, the jarana, the clave, the joropo, the waltz and others.

2- Traditions and customs

Within the Yucatecan traditions we find the celebration of death, where the living pay homage to the loved ones who have passed away.

This tradition is known as Hanaal Pixán, which means"food of the souls".

A kind of altar is placed that includes the photo of the deceased and Yucatecan dishes (especially chicken mucbil), accompanied by candles and flowers.

This celebration takes place on November 1 and 2, as a symbol of true love for loved ones.

Yucatan also has funerary practices that are part of the customs of the region. However, some of these customs were imposed on the indigenous by the Church.

The cha-chaac is a Mayan ceremony that has been done for several centuries to ask Chaac (god of rain) to allow them to have a good harvest in the years to come.

In the regional celebrations the people usually dance jaranas and make competitions to entertain themselves.

Some of its celebrations are the celebration of the vaquerías, celebration of the three kings, festival of Santa Ines, carnivals and the day of the Immaculate Conception.

3- Art

The Yucatecans have kept the Mayan culture alive through its artistic diversity. They are known since pre-Hispanic times for their skill and skill in pottery.

It is very easy to find handmade Mayan art fabrics, large masks, sculptures and paintings. These pieces are almost always created to venerate and honor their ancestors.

4- Religion and beliefs

Since pre-Columbian times, cults, religion and beliefs were a reflection of mythology in popular thought.

It was a space of communication between gods and men. There are still several peoples who revere this polytheistic belief.

At present the catholic religion is the predominant religion in Yucatan. However, there is also a large part of the population that is Protestant, such as Baptists and Presbyterians.

5- Gastronomy

Yucatecan cuisine is based on a combination of scents and flavors of various ingredients such as limes, oranges, achiote, banana and pumpkin.

Among his culinary legacy are the following dishes: papadzules, panuchos, turkey in black stuffing, stuffed cheese, poc-chuc, cochinita pibil, lime soup, pibil chicken and pickled chicken.

References

  1. Jakemann, Well. (1952). The Historical recollections of Gaspar Antonio Chi. An early souree account of Ancient Yucatan . Brigham Young University. Utah.
  2. Jones, Grant. (1997). Anthropology and history in Yucatan . Austin, University of Texas Press.
  3. Landa, Diego. (1978). Relation of the things of Yucatan. Mexico, Editorial Porrúa.
  4. López, Diego. (1957). History of Yucatan . Mexico DF.
  5. Ramirez, Luis. (2002). Yucatan Mexico. National Autonomous University of Mexico-Institute of Philological Research-Center for Mayan Studies.


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