RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Mexican Culture Results:
Mexican Culture: Mexico, Religion, Art, Mexican Cuisine, Holidays And Sports
By:
Published: November 15, 2007
Regardless of where people stand on the immigration issues of today, few can deny the inherent value of diversity. As one of the fastest growing minorities in the United States, Hispanics are increasingly integrating the Mexican culture into American society. Understanding the many components that comprise Mexican culture allows Americans to gain a greater respect for their southern neighbors and the many contributions they have to offer.
An essential component of Mexican culture is its cuisine. Unlike its bland Americanized counterpart, traditional Mexican food is full of rich spices. Most of these spices are used to make unique sauces; authentic mole sauce, for example, combines chocolate and a variety of chile peppers. The foundation of Mexican cuisine is flour or corn tortillas. Tortillas are folded or fried and topped with meat, cheese, beans and guacamole to create tacos, tostadas and enchiladas. Although anyone can find Mexican food along their neighborhood fast food strip, they can only truly experience Mexican culture through an authentic restaurant.
Sports are another key element of Mexican culture. Soccer, in particular, is a favorite among Mexico's citizens. With each state represented by its own soccer team, and a talented national team, Mexican culture centers itself around this entertainment. In fact, in 1970 and 1986, Mexico was home to the World Cup Finals. Boxing is another area where Mexican athletes thrive. Champion boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, for instance, won numerous world titles and served as a wonderful representative of Mexican culture.
One of the most important aspects of Mexican culture is religion. Although different religions have a growing presence in this country, Mexicans are predominately Catholic. Over 95% of Mexican citizens consider themselves Roman Catholic. Mexican culture often combines Roman Catholicism with native traditions. Among their most celebrated holidays is Guadalupe Day, which honors the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12th. Believed to the apparition of the Virgin Mary, Guadalupe has long been immortalized in Mexico's art. Some scholars speculate that Guadalupe represents the uniting of the Virgin Mary and the Mexican goddess Tonantzin. Regardless of the history of Guadalupe Day, this celebration plays an essential role in Mexican culture.
Cinco de Mayo is another significant holiday in Mexican culture. Each year on May 5th, Mexico celebrates its victory against Spain at the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. Although not a nationally-recognized holiday, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated both on the local level and in many different parts of the world.
Art is also an area of Mexican culture that has earned great respect throughout the world. Folk art, such as clay pottery and animal figurines, is the most common of Mexico’s artistic traditions. Whereas most of this country’s early pieces were influenced by Spanish and indigenous cultures, later work was greatly affected by Mexico’s independence. The Mexican Revolution greatly inspired artists such as Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco to create murals that offer their unique portrayals of human suffering and the social justice issues experienced during this time.
These are only some of the many complex components that make up Mexican culture. Demonstrated by the particular popularity of Cinco de Mayo and Mexican food throughout the United States, Mexican culture continues to add more layers to America's melting pot.
Sources:
"Cinco De Mayo." Wikipedia. 14 Nov 2007. 14 Nov 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo.
"Culture of Mexico." Wikipedia. 14 Nov 2007. 14 Nov 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Mexico.
"Mexican Food." Different World. 1997-2007. 14 Nov 2007. http://www.differentworld.com/mexico/food.htm.
"Sports and Recreation." Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2007. 14 Nov 2007. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-259837/Mexico .
An essential component of Mexican culture is its cuisine. Unlike its bland Americanized counterpart, traditional Mexican food is full of rich spices. Most of these spices are used to make unique sauces; authentic mole sauce, for example, combines chocolate and a variety of chile peppers. The foundation of Mexican cuisine is flour or corn tortillas. Tortillas are folded or fried and topped with meat, cheese, beans and guacamole to create tacos, tostadas and enchiladas. Although anyone can find Mexican food along their neighborhood fast food strip, they can only truly experience Mexican culture through an authentic restaurant.
Sports are another key element of Mexican culture. Soccer, in particular, is a favorite among Mexico's citizens. With each state represented by its own soccer team, and a talented national team, Mexican culture centers itself around this entertainment. In fact, in 1970 and 1986, Mexico was home to the World Cup Finals. Boxing is another area where Mexican athletes thrive. Champion boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, for instance, won numerous world titles and served as a wonderful representative of Mexican culture.
One of the most important aspects of Mexican culture is religion. Although different religions have a growing presence in this country, Mexicans are predominately Catholic. Over 95% of Mexican citizens consider themselves Roman Catholic. Mexican culture often combines Roman Catholicism with native traditions. Among their most celebrated holidays is Guadalupe Day, which honors the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12th. Believed to the apparition of the Virgin Mary, Guadalupe has long been immortalized in Mexico's art. Some scholars speculate that Guadalupe represents the uniting of the Virgin Mary and the Mexican goddess Tonantzin. Regardless of the history of Guadalupe Day, this celebration plays an essential role in Mexican culture.
Cinco de Mayo is another significant holiday in Mexican culture. Each year on May 5th, Mexico celebrates its victory against Spain at the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. Although not a nationally-recognized holiday, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated both on the local level and in many different parts of the world.
Art is also an area of Mexican culture that has earned great respect throughout the world. Folk art, such as clay pottery and animal figurines, is the most common of Mexico’s artistic traditions. Whereas most of this country’s early pieces were influenced by Spanish and indigenous cultures, later work was greatly affected by Mexico’s independence. The Mexican Revolution greatly inspired artists such as Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco to create murals that offer their unique portrayals of human suffering and the social justice issues experienced during this time.
These are only some of the many complex components that make up Mexican culture. Demonstrated by the particular popularity of Cinco de Mayo and Mexican food throughout the United States, Mexican culture continues to add more layers to America's melting pot.
Sources:
"Cinco De Mayo." Wikipedia. 14 Nov 2007. 14 Nov 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo.
"Culture of Mexico." Wikipedia. 14 Nov 2007. 14 Nov 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Mexico.
"Mexican Food." Different World. 1997-2007. 14 Nov 2007. http://www.differentworld.com/mexico/food.htm.
"Sports and Recreation." Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2007. 14 Nov 2007. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-259837/Mexico .
Featured Mexican Culture Products:
