Mexican Traditions Overview
Mexico is a country with long and rich history.
Mexico is also a country of many, and diverse, traditions that have survived many centuries due to the fact that Mexicans, especially those living in the rural areas, are traditional people that respect and preserve important Mexican traditions.
Mexican Christmas Traditions
Mexican Christmas traditions are spiritual, unique, joyful and very family and community oriented.
The Posadas are celebrations that take place in Mexican’s villages, towns, neighborhoods and homes between the December 16th and the Holy Night (December 24th). Traditionally, the whole community takes part in these celebrations.
First, one family schedules an evening between the December 16th and December 24th to host the Posada. Then children and adults act out the days when Holy Mary and Joseph were seeking lodging by going through the neighborhood and asking for lodging in three different houses.
Of course only the third house, which was predetermined, will allow them in. Once inside everybody kneels around the Nativity scene to pray and sing traditional Christmas songs. The rest of the evening is reserved for the children’s Pirata’s party and quality family time.
Mexican Wedding Traditions
One of the most interesting Mexican wedding traditions is the one called the thirteen gold coins. During the wedding ceremony the groom gives 13 gold coins to his bride. These 13 gold coins represent Christ and his 12 apostles and they symbolize all of the groom’s material belongings.
By giving this gift to his bride the groom is showing his unquestionable trust and confidence in her. In return, her acceptance of these 13 gold coins assures him back of her love, and it symbolizes her promise to take care of him and his belongings in loving and respectful way.
Mexican Independence Day Traditions
Mexican traditions for the celebration of the Mexican Independence Day include traditional Mexican food, music, costumes and dances. The Mexican Independence Day is a great fiesta that all Mexicans take part in (including the Mexican president) across the country and beyond.
The Mexican Independence Day (September 16th) is one of the most important days for Mexicans because it is on this day that their struggle for independence from Spain started and was organized by their national hero Father Miguel Hidalgo.
Traditional Mexican Foods
Traditional Mexican cuisine is very diverse and it differs from region to region. In short, traditional Mexican foods include exotic dishes such as iguanas, ant eggs, rattlesnakes, roasted insects, and spider monkey as well as tortillas, chicken and beef based dishes, corn, avocado, papaya, squash, guava and many more.
Traditional Mexican Drinks
The most famous traditional Mexican drink is Tequila, which is an alcoholic drink that originates from the Mexican state of Jalisco. Aside from tequila Mexico is also famous for its world-class beer, good vine and numerous alcoholic and non-alcoholic Mexican drinks.
Traditional Mexican Music
One of the most famous trademarks of Mexico are the Mariachi trios and the Mariachi bands. Traditionally, the Mariachis are street musicians that serenade to Mexican women and play at the Mexican weddings and other celebrations.
Nowadays they are mostly professional musicians; however the authentic Mariachis still can be found in Mexican cities and towns standing at the plazas waiting to be hired.
Traditional Mexican Dances
Important Mexican traditions also include famous Mexican dances such as Mexican Hat dance, which is danced across the Mexico and in the United States. This dance is about love and courtship and it can be danced by one or more couples.
The Mexican hat dance steps are not difficult to learn, which means that everybody can enjoy this fun dance. The only thing you need in order to learn the Mexican hat dance (the national dance of Mexico) is littlie patience and traditional Mexican music.
