The Mexican people are a people that have many centuries of history, a history that is as vast and diverse as its roots are diverse. Precisely, that diversity, everything that for so many centuries was gestated or transformed until it reached a nation, is what is part of To be Mexican.
Culture, traditions, language and religion are part of our identity and give us a sense of belonging in this land.
What is Mexican identity?
La identity is the way in which individuals and peoples see themselves, conceive of themselves, and how they choose to express and represent them. In this concept, culture and traditions, language, individualities, family and the sense of belonging to a certain group or sector come into play.
Mexican identity has deep and very strong roots, and over the course of history, it has added many traits from all the societies and historical events that have passed through the Mexican people.
Definition of Mexican identity
La Mexican identity has many characteristics that come both from the nations of the original peoples and from the peoples that have migrated to the region, coming from Africa, Asia and later from Europe.
El colonialism Imposed a language, among many other issues that have shaped the history of Mexico, although the languages of the original peoples still persist, and are added to the new idioms of speech of Mexicans who immigrate to the United States.
Within our identity is also a vision of the United States as a dominant country in our culture. And this idea is polarized with the sense of belonging to the North American continent. We are Americans but we have our own history.
Importance of Mexican traditions and culture
Las traditions of any community or nation play a very important role in Preservation of culture. When a people keeps its culture and traditions alive, it manages to perpetuate itself over time and sustain its identity.
Traditions often involve certain knowledge, perceptions, techniques and history that have shaped the identity of a community, and that make people feel part of it.
Mexican Historical and Cultural Influences
Mexico is a country that has had an enormous presence of original peoples or nations, the so-called “Indians”, the best known are the Mayan or Nahuatl people. But 68 original peoples, with their own languages and linguistic variants, have been officially identified, reaching more than 300.
With the subsequent ones European invasions, especially Spanish, and the long period in which the continent was subject to colonialism, new mixtures of peoples, religions and cultures began to emerge.
In addition, these foreigners often arrived with slaves from Africa, adding a new condiment to the situation of the territory. Finally, during the various wars that followed one another in Europe a few centuries later, Mexico welcomed refugees, mostly Spanish.
Impact on Mexican culture and traditions in the world
Mexican culture has crossed borders, becoming one of the best known and most widespread Latin cultures in the world.
La gastronomy It is a very important part of the culture that gained a lot of popularity abroad. Today, you can find stores and restaurants that cook tacos, burritos, enchiladas or nachos anywhere in the world.
La music, with the famous mariachis, he also managed to make his own worldwide fame. And with that, everything that has to do with some famous festivities, such as Day of the Dead, 15-year-olds and piñatas.
The impact of Mexican culture is such that it was in the United States that the date of Cinco de Mayo prevailed as a great celebration. El Cinco de Mayo It is the commemoration of the battle of Puebla, in which Mexican forces prevented the advance of the second French Empire, and with it, they also prevented the French invasion of the United States.
The fact that in Mexico it is not a date that is as strong as it is in its neighboring country, demonstrates the great influence that the history of this country had on the rest of the world.
Most Important Mexican Traditions
In Mexico, there are a vast number of traditions as varied as the peoples, nations and communities that inhabit it. However, there are some that stand out around the world for their uniqueness.
As we said before, Mexican cuisine and cocktails are very popular around the world. Piñatas also became a widely expanded tradition in many countries, and mariachis are a Mexican symbol represented on numerous occasions within Anglo-Saxon or European culture.
Celebrations and Festivities
But, without a doubt, what stands out most about Mexican culture are its celebrations and festivities. They all have a very particular meaning and a way of celebrating that attracts the eyes of hundreds of thousands of foreigners.
Day of the Dead
Possibly the most famous and replicated tradition in all of Mexico. El Day of the Dead more than a celebration, its meaning has transcended its origins to become a milestone in Mexican culture, and an attraction for hundreds of tourists.
The celebration takes place on November 1 and 2, and pays tribute to the deceased in each family. The houses are filled with colorful and illuminated altars, where they joyfully recall the past and the teachings of those who left this world.
The meaning of death, according to this tradition, has captivated so many people around the world that even the giant Disney conglomerate paid homage to it with the famous movie “Coco”.
Independence Day (September 16)
Although the commemoration date is September 16, the celebration begins on the night of the 15th, replicating the succession of events that led to the declaration of independence of the Mexican people.
On September 15, 1810, priest Miguel Hidalgo called for the uprising of his people against Spanish forces, beginning the war for independence that would culminate in September 1821.
For the celebration, the September 15, at 23:00 hours, people gather in the city's zócalo while the President, from the balcony of the National Palace, recreates the famous Grito de Dolores (“Long Live Mexico”), the cry with which Hidalgo began the independence process.
Christmas in Mexico
To celebrate the birth of Jesus, Mexicans have a series of deep-rooted traditions that we will discuss below.
To start with the Christmas spirit, starting today December 16, a representation of the Virgin Mary takes place in the inns. This is a tradition that dates back several centuries and lasts until December 24, because it represents the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph to the town of Bethlehem.
This time there is also the Piñata, which symbolizes these days the 7 deadly sins according to the Catholic religion. Breaking it means that faith overcame them.
To conclude the Christmas period, a very famous custom is to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men with a traditional Rosca de Reyes, that sweet so typical of this date, and above all, delicious.
