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There are in modern Mexico many
foreign customs and traditions we
have taken and that in some way
have enriched our culture, but this
does not mean we should lose the
customs of our country, since they
represent our roots, our culture and
our link with a past full of history,
sentiment and love for this wonderful
country that is Mexico.
The origin of this custom goes back
to the Spanish missionaries who
arrived in Mexico during the
sixteenth century and is part of
the Catholic tradition, based on
the Gospel according to St.
Matthew that recounts the arrival
of three wise men came from the
east which have received the
message the Savior would be
born and that they should follow
the path that mark a star, this led
them to a manger in Bethlehem
where they found the newborn,
the Magi presented their gifts
consisted of gold, frankincense
and
myrrh,
three
valuable
products at the time, and
proceeded to worship on their
knees like the others. In memory
of those present, children in
Mexico receive their gifts each
year also, on the same date.
Associated with this date we
have the traditional Rosca de
Reyes, is oval-shaped bread
decorated with dried fruit and
contains within it depending on
the size of one or more plastic
dolls representing the Christ Child,
people who finds them, are
committed
to
present
the
February 2 in the local church the
Baby Jesus they put in the house
with the Christmas tree. This date
is known in Mexico as Candlemas
Day, this tradition has lost its
meaning in some regions and
now people who find the
cartoons should organize a snack
consisting of tamales, bread,
chocolate or coffee.
HOLY WEEK
This week is between last days in March
and early April each year. Is very
important to most Mexican Catholics,
not only because children go on
holiday in those days, but because it
performs a series of religious activities in
the whole family involved, Holy Week
begins with Palm Sunday, when carried
to the church blessing bunches of
palms, which are then placed behind
the door of the houses. From Monday to
Thursday this week are known as "Holy
Days."
Subsequent days are Good Friday, Easter
Saturday
and
Easter
Sunday,
the
representations made about this are to
recreate the last days in the life of Jesus
Christ, for this well in advance the people
involved in it is prepared both mentally and
physically and often is so real that real nails
used to crucify the participants in addition
to impact and fatigue that this entails.
Easter Week starts immediately after Easter Sunday is time of festivity and
joy, as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. In Mexico, as in many other
predominantly Catholic countries, Easter is a really big celebration. Formerly
it was customary to give Mexican sweets, such as joy, and sweet pepitorias
covered at all known.
In legend, Easter bunny brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy and
sometimes also toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter. The
Easter Bunny will either put the baskets in a designated place or hide them
somewhere in the house or garden for the children to find when they wake
up in the morning.
This tradition has its origins in the night of
September 15, 1810, when Father Miguel
Hidalgo y Costilla rang his church bell in
Dolores to bring together all the faithful
and announce that the cry of "Viva
Mexico", "Viva la Virgin of Guadalupe, the
Mexican people would fight for their
freedom.
This is a really big celebration because
represents the freedom of all mexican
people.
Independence Day is celebrated with a great dinner at the National Palace
and many mexicans go to a plaza located in Mexico City to join the joy
and share the joy of fireworks and traditional food stands that positioned to
turn the place into a popular festival, as befits the anniversary of our
independence, the next day is celebrated in some parts of Mexico parades
and military parades.
The Day of the Dead is one of the most
typical and representative of our
country, and it is time to remember
those of our loved ones who have died,
and feel that they are not gone entirely
in Mexico commemorate our family
and
friends
departed
with
a
demonstration of love, the cult of death
in Mexico is not new, as already
practiced since 1800 BC C., many
centuries before the Spanish arrived, In
the Aztec Calendar we can see that in
the 18 months that make up this
schedule.
Unquestionably one of the
biggest holidays celebrated in
Mexico is the day of the Virgin
of Guadalupe. It is a darkskinned Virgin Mary in 1531
appears on the hill of Tepeyac
to a single Indian, Juan Diego,
the humblest of his children, to
become the Mother of a new
breed: "Mexicans“.
She served as a banner to the
priest Hidalgo in the early days
of Independence. She, is the
basic point of unity among
Mexicans.
Las Posadas – This Mexican Christmas
tradition is the best known manifestation of
the Christmas spirit held each night on the
nine days between December 16th and
Christmas eve which, according to
religious tradition, represents the period
when Mary and Joseph long ago search
for lodgings were seeking shelter before
the birth of Jesus is re-enacted. The
posadas have become a community
affair with friends, relatives and neighbors
getting together to share in the festivities,
visiting a different house each evening.
People carry candles, visit several houses
and ask for “posada” (shelter), the adults
are given a thick punch “Ponche
Navideno” and at the end of the journey,
the “piñata”, stuffed with candy and fruit,
is broken.
This Mexican Christmas tradition refers to events
prior to the birth of Jesus with the splendor of the
manger and the shepherds. The pastorelas, as a
scenic and literary genre, had its roots in 16th
century Spanish religious theatre. These were
theatrical
representations
used
by
the
missionaries to impart religious knowledge to the
indigenous people of Mexico. Usually performed
in the afternoon or early evenings of the last
weeks of December, pastorelas are a Mexican
version of Europe's medieval miracle plays. They
are most often presented outdoors in a public
square, perhaps the courtyard of a church or an
inn. The players may be local townsfolk, groups of
schoolchildren, semi professional traveling troupes
of actors during the Christmas season.
Without doubt, one of the merriest
Mexican Christmas tradition is that of the
piñata, the whimsically decorated,
brightly colored, hollow figure that holds
candy and other goodies and is designed
expressly to be smashed to bits!
The true piñata is, underneath, a large clay
pot and from that base, it becomes just
about anything imaginable and made of
crèpe or tissue paper, papier-maché, tinsel
and sometimes colored paints and sequins
are added which turns it into an object of
sheer delight. No matter what material a
piñata is made of now days, you can find
them in just about any shape from angels,
Santa Claus, donkeys, flowers, clowns and
stars all with gaily colored streamers.
Mexico at Christmas is a dazzling
spectacle, made up in great part by the
incredible array of piñatas.