6 Things You Didn’t Know about Mexican Culture

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While vacationing in Mexico, it is beyond clear why so many fall in love with the spirit of the Latin nation, but there are many things that most visitors don’t know about the origins and culture of Mexico. Here are a few of them from robinroo.org.

1) Mexican culture is the fusion of European, African, and Indigenous cultures

Mexican culture as we know it today is a product of centuries of mixing between Indigenous, African, and Spanish populations during the Colonial period. This mixing, known commonly as mestizaje, produced a unique cultural identity that makes up the basis for modern-day Mexico, and can be seen in every aspect of Mexican life, including food, clothing, art, music, and even language.

2) Mexico is a diverse, and multicultural country

Many cultures inhabit Mexico. ****Indigenous peoples make up 10% of the population and are divided into dozens of different ethnicities, each with its own language, culture, system of governance, and customs. There are also substantial populations of European and African descent, and most of the population has mixed heritage. Migrants from countries such as China, Japan, Syria, and Lebanon arrived in the 20th Century, and there have been more recent waves of migration from South Korea and Central and South America.

3) Mexican Independence Day is NOT Cinco de Mayo

Contrary to what many Americans believe, Mexico’s independence day is not on May 5th, but rather on September 16th. Celebrations begin on the eve of the holiday with the Grito, a ceremony commemorating the Shout of Dolores in 1810, which gave way to the War of Independence. This is followed by fireworks, music and dancing. The next day, parades take place in most major cities. Popular foods include Pozole, a hearty corn soup, and Chiles en Nogada, stuffed chillis drenched in a nut-based sauce and topped with pomegranate.

San Miguel de Allende (File photo)

4) Mexico has a successful and highly influential film industry

Since the dawn of the film industry, there have been Mexican filmmakers creating and innovating in the medium. Post-Revolutionary stability and the advent of sound in films ushered in a golden age for Mexican cinema, and by the 1940s, Mexico became the largest exporter of Spanish language films in the world. More recently, Mexican film continues to show success around the world, giving rise to award-winning talents such as Guillermo Del Toro, Alfonso Cuarón, and Alejandro González Iñarritu.

5) Mexican cuisine is among the best in the world

Mexican cuisine is renowned worldwide for its rich flavors, wide variety, and fresh ingredients. It varies heavily from region to region, but common ingredients include avocado, maize, beans, tomato, squash, and chilli, all of which formed the basis of the Pre-Columbian diet. Maize is the staple food and is prepared in a myriad of ways, from soft corn tortillas to dumpling-like tamales, to sweet beverages like atole con champurrado. Vegetables and chilli are use to prepare a variety of rich, spicy sauces that flavor the food. Some of them can be used as the perfect snack when you’re gaming at https://www.casinoclic.com/fr.

A woman made up as a “Catrina” and wearing a face shield posed for a photo during Day of the Dead festivities in Mexico City, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. Altars and artwork from around the country were on display in a parade, as Mexicans honor the Day of the Dead. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Fernando Llano AP Read more at: https://www.thestate.com/news/article255435121.html#storylink=cpy

6) Mexico has its own unique holiday: The Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead is both a commemoration of Death and a celebration of life, and happens on November 1st and 2nd. Colorful shrines honoring the deceased, known as ofrendas, are placed in homes, offices, churches, schools, and squares in the weeks prior to the holiday and graveyards light up with candles and music. Parades and street parties take place featuring dancers, puppets, and theater troupes in bright skull make-up.

Mexico Daily Post