Mexican Culture: 15 Features and Traditions

The Mexican culture Is a product of the mix of indigenous practices and traditions with the Spanish colonial presence that impacted so strongly in all areas of life.

There has been a constant struggle on the part of Mexicans throughout history to define and promote Mexican identity. However, with so much political instability, wars with the United States and France, and colonial occupation, Mexican society has often struggled to form a cohesive identity.

Mariachis are one of the most important traditions of Mexican culture.

The characteristics of Mexican culture belong to an enormously diverse domain that encompasses large differences in identity. The variety of influences throughout Mexican history, from the old Mayan civilization To the dominating European presence, has come to define the exciting country that is Mexico today.

As such, Mexican art and literature have also had a tumultuous history. There is a wide range of wonderfully preserved Mayan and Aztec buildings and many of its Traditions They have remained.

However, with the effects of colonization, much of Mexican literature borrowed techniques and ideas from Europe.

It was not until the postrevolutionary period that the arts in Mexico began to develop their own unique characteristics and soon evolved producing some of the most celebrated figures in international art and literature.

15 characteristics and outstanding traditions of the culture of Mexico

1- Courtesy

Your manners are important. In Mexico, if someone is invited by a family to their home, it is traditional to bring flowers. The host will also make it a priority that the guest is welcome and comfortable.

Talking out loud is also a rude behavior and care should be taken not to hurt the other person with words.

2- Festivity of May 5

Although not a recognized holiday in Mexico, May 5 is a memorable date in the history of this country.

On this day of 1862 the brave Mexican army defeated the invading French forces (the most powerful army of the time) in the Battle of Puebla. The anniversary of the unlikely victory is celebrated sporadically in Mexico.

Demographic changes have transformed the date into a cultural festival where Mexican culture is celebrated with festivals, food and drinks. May 5th was embraced in the United States as a way to create pride among Mexican Americans.

3- New Year Rituals

Some Mexican New Year rituals have religious backgrounds, while others are simply curious.

Each is passed down from generation to generation and share the common intention to awaken hope for better days. Here are some ways to celebrate the New Year according to Mexicans:

  • Lentils extend around the door as a symbol of abundance. Some eat a handful of lentils.
  • Placing a coin in a shoe or pocket is thought to attract economic prosperity.
  • Swept out of the house, taking away everything that was bad from the previous year. In general, thorough cleaning of the house gets rid of the bad vibes and makes room for better things to come.
  • It is customary to turn on every light of the house in the evening to radiate prosperity and success in the New Year.
  • Make a wish list handwritten for the New Year and keep it in your hand for the rest of the year.
  • It is traditional to eat 12 grapes when the countdown begins to welcome the New Year. Each grape represents a wish.
  • He throws a glass of water out of the house and into the street to expel the tears, worries and negativity of his home and life.

4- Day of the Dead

A two-day national holiday in Mexico, Día de los Muertos is performed to honor and remember deceased loved ones.

On November 1, or All Saints' Day, it is dedicated to the little children who have died, known as little angels or"little angels". November 2, or All Saints' Day, is a day to remember family and older friends.

Contrary to popular belief, the Day of the Dead is not the creepy Halloween counterpart. It is a day of happiness and love rather than sadness and fear.

The celebrations are bright and cheerful, not morbid. The altars of the family are happily decorated with photographs, gifts, souvenirs and food offerings.

5- Mexican food traditional

Mexican Culture: 15 Features and Traditions

The culinary heritage of Mexico is a rich and tasty tradition. The basic foods used in Mexican cuisine include beans, native calli, chilies, avocados, tomatoes and pumpkins.

6- Mú Traditional music

The cultures Aztec , Maya and Iberian have influenced the culture of Mexico. Music has played an important role and, since Mexico has been colonized by Spain for about 300 years, Spanish influence is part of the country's musical tradition.

Traditional music is not only one of the customs of Mexico, but also an identity for each region of the country, which makes a diverse and fascinating part of its history. One of the most popular and easily recognizable sounds is the mariachi that originated in the state of Jalisco.

7- Wedding Traditions

One of the traditions associated with a wedding in Mexico is that of the priest who gives thirteen gold coins to the groom, who then offers them to his girlfriend.

This Mexican custom represents Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles and symbolizes the groom's willingness and ability to care for his future wife during their marriage.

It is also one of the traditions of Mexico that the godparents are part of a ceremony and give the couple a Bible and a rosary.

8- Christmas in M and Xico

Christmas customs in Mexico continue to have strong Catholic roots. A procession takes a child Jesus to the nativity scene in the local church or to draw scenes in the people's home with the rebuilding of the Mary and Joseph crib in Bethlehem.

Traditionally, lullabies are sung for the newborn Jesus at the midnight mass during the period known as The Mass of the Rooster and it is the time when the baby Jesus is added to the crib in the manger.

9- The siesta

Among the diverse and ancient traditions of Mexico are those that have been forgotten or eliminated.

Among the latter is the popular Mexican custom known as the"siesta." The stores are closed for a few hours during the afternoon to allow their owners and employees a rest period.

Although due to the increasing rhythm of life in urban areas this custom is decreasing, in the villages and in the rural areas the siesta is one of the old customs of Mexico that still prevails.

10- Religions of M and Xico

About 82 percent of Mexicans identify themselves as Catholics, although many have incorporated pre-Hispanic Mayan elements as part of their faith.

The Christian denominations represented include Presbyterians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, Mormons, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, and Anglicans. There are also small communities of Muslims, Jews and Buddhists.

11- The bullfight

Although classified as an illegal sport in many other countries, there are still bulls in Mexico. Inherited from Spain, it is one of the popular traditions of Mexico and attracts varied and large audiences.

Mexico is one of the eight countries of Mexico where bullfighting is a legal sport. Some Mexican states have animal protection laws but unfortunately for many animal rights activists, these laws do nothing to protect bulls.

Bullfighting has been outlawed twice in Mexican history but is now completely legal. Even children are allowed to watch the show as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult.

This never used to be the case (minors are never allowed to see bullfights in Mexico) but the law has changed in recent years.

Mexico City is home to the largest bullfighting state in the world: Monumental, built in 1942, has enough space to accommodate more than 40,000 spectators.

The Mexican city of Aguascalientes is home to two bull rings where many fights are held every year. Mexico is well known for bullfighter-children.

Since European children under the age of sixteen are not allowed to practice bullfighting in public, many move to Mexico to advance their training so that they can return to their countries of origin and take advantage of their competitors.

12- The piñata

The piñatas are a family show in many parties. This aspect of Mexican culture has been adopted around the world.

The piñata can be a pot made of clay, which is filled with fruit, sweets and confetti, or can be an elaborate paper, often in the shape of a donkey.

They have colorful decorations of tinsel, ribbons and paper, with a rope attached. The piñata is hung up and blindfolded children try to break it to reap the rewards.

13- Mexican Art and Literature

Clay pottery, embroidered cotton garments, wool shawls and outer garments with angular designs, colorful baskets and rugs are some of the common elements associated with Mexican folk art.

The country is closely associated with the mariachi style of folk music. Originating in the southern part of the state of Jalisco in the 19th century, it is a group of musicians - violins, guitars, basses, vihuelas and trumpets - and silver charro suits and elaborate hats. "La cucaracha"is a well-known mariachi song.

Two of Mexico's most famous artists are Frida Kahlo Y Diego Rivera . His paintings include vibrant colors and representations of life in Mexico.

14- Mexican clothing

Many may not think of Mexico as a place that encourages fashion, but many fashion designers are from Mexico, such as Jorge Duque and Julia and Renata.

There is also a Mexico Fashion Week. In cities, fashion in Mexico is influenced by international trends, so typical Mexican urban dresses are similar to those in Europe and the United States.

In the more rural areas, the typical clothing of a woman includes skirts, sleeveless robes called huipiles, capes known as quechquémitls and shawls called rebozos.

A distinctive item of traditional men's clothing is a large mantle layer called sarape. Boots are also a basic element of the wardrobe.

Some traditional garments, now typically used for celebrations and special occasions, include hats and charro suits worn by mariachi bands.

15- M Languages and Xico

The overwhelming majority of Mexicans today speak Spanish. At present, Spanish is spoken by 92.7 percent of the Mexican population.

About 6 percent of the population speak Spanish and indigenous languages, such as Mayan, Nahuatl And other regional languages.

Mexican Indian words have become common in other languages, including English. For example, him chocolate , The coyote, the tomato and the avocado all originated in Nahuatl.

References

  1. Nina Makofsky. Holidays & Traditions in Mexico. (S.f.). Retrieved from traveltips.usatoday.com.
  2. John Hecht. Top 10 festivals and parties in Mexico. (S.f.). Retrieved from lonelyplanet.com.
  3. Mexican Holidays and Traditions. (S.f.). Retrieved from dltk-kids.com.
  4. Cultural Features of Mexican. (S.f.). Recovered from cronicasdesyriana.wordpress.com.
  5. CULTURE AND TRADITIONS. (S.f.). Recovered from universia.es.

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