Culture of Mexico is a Latin American culture that reflects the complexity
of Mexico's history through the blending of pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican
civilizations and the culture of Spain, imported during the Spanish
colonization of Mexico, which lasted for more than three centuries.
Contents
[hide]
a.. 1 Way of life
a.. 1.1 Religion
b.. 1.2 Art
c.. 1.3 Literature
d.. 1.4 Music
e.. 1.5 National holidays
f.. 1.6 Cuisine
g.. 1.7 Sport
b.. 2 See also
c.. 3 References
d.. 4 External links
[edit] Way of life
The way of life in Mexico includes many features from the nation's long
Amerindian past and the Spanish colonial period. The people of Mexico take
great pride of their country, culture, ethnicity, lifestyle and economic
independence. Mexican culture also exhibits strong family ties, respect,
hard working and socializing together in the community.
Mexico has changed rapidly during the 20th century. In many ways,
contemporary business life in its largest cities has become similar to that
in neighbouring United States and Europe. Most Mexican villagers follow the
older way of life more than the city people do. About three-fourths of the
people of Mexico live in cities and towns. Large populated urban areas
include Mexico City, Netzahualcóyotl, Estado de México, Baja California,
Guadalajara, Jalisco and Monterrey, Nuevo León, while rural areas include
Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Yucatán and many more.
[edit] Religion
Main article: Religion in Mexico
An image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico.
The Spanish arrival and colonization brought Roman Catholicism to the
country and became the main religion of Mexico. Today, 95%% belong to the
Catholic faith, making the country as the second largest Catholic nation in
the world, after Brazil. [1] Other Christian religions include Evangelical,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jehovah's Witnesses.
In the southern areas of the country, which are predominantly of indigenous
populations, traditional Amerindian religions are practiced and has been
incorporated into the Spanish Catholic faith.
[edit] Art
A photograph of a 1954 stone carved mural at the ITESM in Monterrey, Mexico,
portraying a battle between the mythological gods Quetzalcoatl and
Tezcatlipoca.
Mexico is known worldwide for its folk art traditions, mostly derived from a
combination of the indigenous and Spanish crafts. Particularly notable among
handicrafts are the clay pottery made in the valley of Oaxaca and the bird
and animal figures made in the village of Tonalá. Colorfully embroidered
cotton garments, cotton or wool shawls and outer garments, and colorful
baskets and rugs are seen everywhere. Between the Spanish conquest and the
early Twentieth Century, Mexican fine arts were largely in imitation of
European traditions. After the Mexican Revolution, a new generation of
Mexican artists led a vibrant national movement that incorporated political,
historic, and folk themes in their work. The painters Diego Rivera, José
Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros became world famous for their
grand scale murals, often displaying clear social messages. Rufino Tamayo
and Frida Kahlo produced more personal works with abstract elements. Mexican
art photography was largely fostered by the work of Manuel Ãlvarez Bravo.
[edit] Literature
Main article: Mexican literature
A late 18th century painting of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Mexican poet and
writer.
The literature of Mexico originated from the concepts of the Amerindian and
Spanish settlements of Mesoamerica. Outstanding colonial writers and poets
include Juan Ruiz de Alarcón and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
[edit] Music
Main article: Music of Mexico
Indigenous Aztec dancers in Mexico City.
A traditional Mexican hat dance called "Jarabe TapatÃo".
The foundation of the music of Mexico comes from its indigenous sounds and
heritage. The original inhabitants of the land, used drums, flutes, gourd
rattles, sea shells and voices to make music and dances. This ancient music
is still played in some parts of Mexico. However, much of the traditional
contemporary music of Mexico were written during the Spanish colonial
period. Folk songs called corridos have been popular in the country, since
the 16th century. It may tell the story about the Mexican Revolution, Pride,
Mestizo, Romance, Poverty, Politics and Crime issues.
Today, popular musical groups known as Mariachis perform along streets,
festivals and restaurants. A Mariachi group includes singers, guitar,
trumpets, violin and marimba players. Folk dances are regarded to be one of
the most important features of Mexican culture. The most significant of this
dance tradition is the "Mexican hat dance", known as "Jarabe TapatÃo".
Traditional dancers perform a sequence of hopping steps, heel and toe
tapping movements.
[edit] National holidays
Main article: Public holidays in Mexico
A skull made out of sugar, given during the Day of the Dead festival.
Mexicans celebrate their independence day from Spain in September 15 and 16,
and other holidays with colourful festivals known as "Fiestas". Every
Mexican city, town and village holds a yearly festival to commemorate their
local patron saints. During these festivities, the people pray and burn
candles to honour their saints in churches decorated with flowers and
colourful utensils. They also hold large parades, fireworks, dance
competitions, beauty pageant contest, party and buy refreshments in the
market places and public squares. In the smaller towns and villages,
football, boxing, cockfighting and amateur bullfighting are also celebrated
during the festivities.
Mexico also celebrates Carnaval (in February 3 to February 8), Semana Santa
("Easter", on March or April), Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May", celebrated on
May 5) and DÃa de los Muertos ("Day Of the Dead", celebrated on October 31
to November 2). Other festivities include DÃa de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
("Guadalupe Day"), Las Posadas ("The Inns", celebrated on December 16 to
December 24), Noche Buena ("Holy Night", celebrated on December 24), Navidad
("Christmas", celebrated on December 25) and Año Nuevo ("New Years Day",
celebrated on December 31 to January 1). "Guadalupe Day" is regarded by many
Mexicans as the most important religious holiday of their country. It
honours the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico, which is
celebrated on December 12. In the last decade, all the celebrations
happening from mid December to the beginning of January have been linked
together in what has been called the Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon.
[edit] Cuisine
Main article: Mexican cuisine
Mexican cuisine is world-renowned for its blending of indigenous and
European cultures. Popular dishes include maize, tortilla, tacos,
enchiladas, frijoles, atole, tamales, and pozole. Traditionally the main
Mexican ingredients consisted of chicken, pork, beef, potatoes, corn,
tomatoes, peppers, chillis, onions, peanuts, avocados and guavas. Popular
beverages include water flavoured with a variety of fruit juices, and
cinnamon-flavoured hot chocolate prepared with milk or water and blended
until it becomes frothed. Alcoholic beverages include mescal, pulque and
tequila.
[edit] Sport
Main article: Sport in Mexico
Bullfighter in Mexico.
The traditional national sports of Mexico are Bullfighting and Charreria.
Football is also highly appreciated and is regarded to be the most popular
contemporary recreation in the country. Most state has its own
representative teams. Among the country's significant teams include Club
América, Chivas de Guadalajara, Cruz Azul and Pumas de la UNAM. Notable
players include Hugo Sánchez, Claudio Suárez, Luis Hernández, Francisco
Palencia, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Jared Borgetti, Rafael Márquez, Pavel Pardo,
Ramón RamÃrez, Jorge Campos and Oswaldo Sánchez.
Mexico is also known for its strong boxing tradition, having produced world
champions such as Julio César Chávez, Salvador Sánchez, Érik Morales, Marco
Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Márquez and Jesús Chávez. Other popular
recreational activities include lucha libre (Mexican professional
wrestling), baseball, fishing, scuba diving, Jai alai, cockfighting, and
basketball.
The country also hosted the summer Olympic Games in 1968 and the FIFA World
Cup in 1970 and 1986.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_culture
