DIA DE MUERTOS (DAY OF DEATH)

By Gabriela Montes de Oca Casillas

For many people, when a person who you love a lot dies, is a good reason to cry.  But in Mexico the Aztecans has a different conception of the death. They thought that when you die, you are a lucky person because you’ll be with god. After the death you won’t feel pain anymore, and for celebrate that they make a banquet, on July 16^th (the original date) these death people come back to take this banquet.

Candy skull

  Nowadays, Mexico celebrates this day on   

  November 1^st and 2^nd. We prepare food

  which was the favorite for death person before 

  to die. Mole, arroz, pollo, atole, tamales and frijoles are the

  traditional food that people make but on November 1^st, we put  

  candies and toys for kids and  2^nd we put alcohol for the adults. 

  

  Also the water, salt, candles and  cempasúchil flower are 

  important. The water calms down their thirst because they walk a

  long road. The salt is to purify their souls.  The candles help to light

  up their road. And the cempasúchil flower that is orange and has a

  hard smell to attract these people.

Cempasúchil flower

This day is very special in Mexico; a lot of people can see their family that is dying, now. For example, my mother every November 2^nd smells like peppermint, and in the evening, she dreams with her grandfather. She smells like peppermint because her grandfather loved the peppermint. Also I want to know him, but He died before I borned. So one day of death, I dream with an old person who has a hat and white. He talked with me and also I met my aunt who died very young. When I woke up, I told to my mother what I dreamt; She was surprised, because I described her grandfather very well.

Banquet for death people

These kinds of things happen with a lot of people. Is very usual here in Mexico and also is a holyday very fun and beautiful.

QUINCEAÑERAS

By Laura Antolin Antolin

The quinceañeras are a group of girls that have the same age (fifteen years old) are called in this way because this age for the Mexican people is very important.

The tradition in Mexico is that the people said that the girl who has 15 years old is a change from girl to woman. As we know the girl has different changes in his body for example emotional, physical, physiological this changes convert the girl in a new person.

The dream of all the mexican girls is to have a wonderful quinceañera´s party, they usually start to find for things that they could use in the party. There are a lot of things that the she have to prepare for the party. The most important are the dress, mass, change of slippers, the waltz and the traditional cake.

The color of the dress it will be depend of the likes of the girl the most popular colors are pink, blue, and red, they usually going to the center of Mexico to the mall called “Lagunilla” to buy the dresses. For the mass the  family, friends and chamberlains (between 6 boys that accompanying the girl in this celebration)cof the quinceañera go to the church , when the mass finish the quinceañera and his guests go to the reception and then the parents of the girl give a food for all the guests. The food that give in this kind of party are carnitas, rice, chicken with chocolate sauces and for to drink the people usually drink soda and tequila. In the evening the quinceañera dance his waltz with her 6 chamberlains, the principal music that the woman dance is romantic and the other it depends of the likes of the quinceañera, it could be music pop, reggaeton, etc.

During the waltz exist a change of slippers that is important too because is the signal that now the girl is a woman. The pastel is other thing that can´t miss , is amazing that in some parties the pastel is for 15 floors that represent the age of the quinceañera .In this kind of party is common to see a lot of teenagers enjoy with the celebrated.

The quinceaños in Mexico is the most important dream of the girls because they wish to have a great party in this age. The special of this kind of party is that every mexican give a different style for the celebration.

Music: Symbol of Culture in Mexico

by Jazmín Montoya Salazar

Mexico is rich not only in minerals, fertile land, hardworking people, but in culture. The culture shows the footprints of our ancestors who left old habits that currently shape the concept of the country, generating habits, dialects, clothes, food, festivities, music. The music is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle of the culture of Mexico. However it is very diverse, as each genre is consistent with the states of the republic, differing in rhythm, instruments. Some examples: in the State of Veracruz is Huapango genre and instrument used is the marimba. Another of the most representative genres the band is typical in the state of Sinaloa. And of course I could not miss the mariachi, taking one of the highest reputation for being one of the Mexican symbols. But particularly makes emphasis on each of the genres of music in our country:

Banda: Genre typical state of Sinaloa, but heard throughout the republic. Made by various instruments, drums, trumpet, dishes, especially wind instruments and more. The most famous bands in the country are la banda el recodo, la arrolladora banda limón, banda cuisillos, banda, banda machos, etc.

photo by Shannon Buckley-Shaklee

Mariachi music originated in the State of Jalisco, is one of the most representative genres of Mexico considered as a symbol of Mexicans in foreign countries, and close relationship with culture. The main instruments are the trumpet, violin, and guitar. Generally the songs are sung and danced by these groups made up of ten people regularly. Some of his most popular songs are la cucaracha, toro mambo, las mañanitas.

Northern: Genre distinctive music of Michoacan, played by guitar and accordion. Among the most popular songs are: caminos de Michoacan, las casas de madera, la mesa del rincon. The groups are the most famous are intocable, los tigres del norte.

Boleros: This type of music is from Yucatan, is a type of romantic music, distinguished by only three people settle their official instrument is the guitar.

These are some of the genre with more brand in the country, however cumbia, rock and pop are not forgotten. However these are more current. Generally, older people have a misconception about these genres. Preferring unquestionably those already specified above, to have a meaning in the context in which they developed, and for being a transcendental aspect in history. All Mexican to hear this music feels vibrate the soul, as the weight of his rhythm has a touch that allows anyone to enjoy it. Hence the importance of each genre has its own style of dance and dress that gives a special touch. But it would be the world if there were no music.

Archaeological Zone in Calixtlahuaca.

By Angélica Arellano Galindo  


Calixtlahuaca is a Word Nahuatl its meaning is “Houses in the evennesses”, this is an archaeological place its ubication is in the mountain Tenismo near of city Toluca in the State of Mexico. The culture that built was meeting how Matlazincas.


1 - Circular pyramid or “Templo de Quetzalcóatl”.

This pyramid is the most popular in this place the Matlazincas built in honor God Quetzalcoatl it’s a big temple it was structure by four periods of construction. The circle is a perfect figure geometric does not have beginning and does not final, because is infinite, how the Gods, for this reason the matlazincas built the temple using circles like a scaffold.

In Calixtlahuaca the “Temple of Quetzalcoatl” is more famous than the others constructions in this town. Also the circular pyramid has some pyramids of less outstanding but that also are visited how the square or cemetery where found fifty deaths with offerings for example: gold, ceramic and winch and Base of column is a place where the Matlazincas practiced Ball Game is a big field with a hole and a circle rock that these inhabitants used for played this game.

2. - Festival del Quinto Sol.

The tourists visit this zone in March 21^stusualy they wear with white clothes because they think this day begin a new cycle of life and they want to star full of energy for to make your activities in all year and if they wear with white clothes can obtain more energy.

Each march 21^st  the inhabitants of Calixtlahuaca to realize the “Festival del Quinto Sol”, with motive of Spring Equinox. This day the people doing some activities the origin prehispanic also Ball Game.

The inhabitants of Calixtlahuaca to show dance natives, medicine, parties, sacrifices and The Traditional Ceremony of to light New Fire are the principal activities that people doing to keep the traditions of town to save, to ranson and to preserve owns customs.

For the people is very important to know the traditions and visit the pyramids because is an experience that they never forget.

• My visit in this place was nice because the inhabitants are polite, pacific and the town is more interesting.
• I don’t have word to describe and say that my visit was impressionable.
• This place has more things interesting that you have to know.

¡You should visit this place because is wonderful, you don’t repent is a experience It will very important in your life and it will be unforgettable¡

Help to preserve owns culture and owns traditions¡¡¡¡

Otomi Culture

BY:LAURA ESTRADA CARREÑO


The otomí culture originates from some Mexican towns but in this article I will talk in particular one.

Early twentieth century most of the inhabitants of this community is characterized by keeping the otomí Indian language, their customs, dress and traditions. Otomí people feel proud to wear their traditional clothes: the traditional clothes of women in the otomí group in the community of Temoaya  is a tangle of wool chincuete or blanket or very large and long like a skirt, black, blue, yellow, white with green lines, orange and yellow blouse and blanket or white poplin, short sleeve embroidered with flowers. It is characteristic of clothing quexquemetl otomí use cotton or wool in various colors and all clothing is adorned with floral decorations.

Handicraft production of otomí peoples refers to wool rugs which are made specifically for women mortars and mutates of black stone the wheat straw bags hats baskets and tule chairs piecesavates pottery and maguey fiber sashes tablecloths and napkins and hand- woven textiles made on blackstrap looms.

Otomí culture is very famous in Mexico especially in Temoaya because in this community is Otomí Ceremonial Center where the otomí people celebrate their gods and they organized some ceremonies. Inside of the Otomí Ceremonial Center there are some plazas, stairways, stylized sculptures, there is a museum with some arrows pottery sculptures found in the locality, there is also an a charro small offering in the rainy season one embodiment of the rodeo in the country only.

The feast of saints are framed in the catholic calendar and have at we saw a strong link with the cycles in an old agricultural tradition. The otomí celebrate the Santa Cruz to the virgins of Concepcion, Loreto, Asuncion and Guadalupe, San Pedro, San Miguel , San Juan, San Jaime and Santa Teresa among others mayordomias, schools boards, and groups of dancers are responsible for organizing and planning for all year celebration.

The otomí culture is famous too for their songs especially one called “tzi mare ku” this song is used at final of the wedding when the couple is dancing to say good bye their parent’s house. I present the lyrics song:

TZI MARE KU

Ya go mago tzi mare ku                       
Ya go mago tzi mbare ku                     
Ûna hjpa nghjeya do nthjewi ku Ûna hjpa nkhjeya to ûmûy wi ku

Ûna hjpa nhjeya to nzzengua wi          
Ûna hjpa nghjeya do tzí ma tsí             
Ûna hjpa nghjeya to ùingui ki         
Pohjki kja madí tzi mare ku                 
Ya go mago tzi mare ku                          
Ya go mago tzi mbare ku Tari shudi go nzzengua wi                   
Tari mani go nhjewi pi

Ma tzi ngande bi iñuhjti gui                
Go nzzengua ma khja-ûni, kjangu ki 
Go-ûthjo di nzzengua tzi mare ku       
Go-ûthjo di bini tzi mbare ku

Ya go mago tzi mare ku                   
Ya go mago tzi mbare ku                 
Ûna hjpa nkhjeya to ûmûy wi ku       
Ûna hjpa nkhjeya do nibi ku              
Kja go ma thjewi hri nkhjeya pà /
Hjantze nû tzi tada i pahj ya mà

Hjâ go mago tzi mare ku             
Hjâ go mago tzi mbare ku

Check back later for an English translation of the song.

Toluca the community of Chorizo… Yummy!!!

By Yessica Yazmin Cruz Resendiz

Chorizo is the best dish in Toluca, nothing looks like Chorizo of Toluca, the longaniza looks like a chorizo but this chorizo is not separated.

Chorizo is a regional sausage made of ground pork and tomato sauce, and other ingredients such as vinegar, cumin, cinnamon, marjoram, salt, pepper, almonds, potatoes, onion, garlic and chili, but the best chorizo contains pumpkin mole, pipian, white wine or vinegar.

Almost every one that eats this dish shouldn`t forget a tortilla because in general when people eat chorizo, it is in a taco of chorizo that has fry onion, potato and lemon juice.

If you visit Toluca, you will eat Chorizo!!!

The city of Toluca is famous for the preparation and the variety that made of this dish. One specialty in Toluca is the green chorizo, called thus because of the ingredients it has like tomato and some plants, any one that prepares chorizo should put peanuts and others secrets ingredients.

Some people who eat chorizo in other places, say that it is better to eat in Toluca than eat if in another city, this is because it doesn´t exist some delicious dish that the chorizo of Toluca.

To eat alone, uncooked, dried, prepare or fry, the variety of chorizo are delicious dishes that every person must eat when they visit Toluca, although not born in this place, the city has the recipe and the picture of the best dish that the people never forget.

The people of Toluca are called “chorizeros” and the team of football in the city is identified for this dish.

Remember if you visit Toluca you must eat chorizo!!! You don´t forget the delicious flavor that this food has.

DÍA DE LOS FIELES DIFUNTOS

by VIRIDIANA JUÁREZ MARÍN

Mexico is a country with a lot of culture and traditions, the beliefs of this people is so big respecting their gods, thus most of the important and popular holidays involve the religion. In this part I’m going to talk about the one of the most famous holiday that the people celebrate each year in each state from this country, this holiday is called “Día de los fieles difuntos”, however most of the people called it “day of the dead”, sometimes people who don´t know about this celebration think that is a ritual to venerate the dead like a black magic, but if we return to the history we can noticed that this festival come from the Indigenous Aztecas. They had customs where the people used to make some rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors, also this day was dedicated to the  "Lady of the Dead", although now the people called her “catrina”.  It was an object to venerate and worship for part of some families, the calpullis (high social class) or the complete nation it depends the society status that they stay. Those kind of rituals were too with the purposes of invoke for their crops, hunting and others for war.

Nowadays modern Indigenous’ conception about these traditions means the reunion with their friends and family members who have died. This celebration beginning on November 28, this day is especially for innocent people (babies, children and saints) who have passed away. The second day is on November 1, dedicated for rest of the people who died when they were adults; before to beginning this two days the people receive the dead’s spirits with some offerings like altars which contain food, photos of the person, fruit, candies, etc. It depends the things that the dead person liked when he was alive, the people also pray for the dead’s souls and put candles and petals of flowers as a road to show the spirits the way to come their house and coexist with their dear loved ones.

In those days we make an “ofrenda” in my house, so my grandmother cook the food that my grandfather liked for example “mole, tamales, fruit, cookies, etc. also we put some of the drinks that he used to drink like coffee, water and “pulque” (the final drink is an alcoholic beverage from Mexico), my grandmother used to put an extra food and drinks because she said that my grandfather would come with a friend.

The last they is on November 2,  is the date where the spirits back to the underworld, So the people used to go to the cemeteries to say good bye and to go along with the spirits also they garnish the tombs with different kinds of flowers especially with a flower named cempoaxochitl.

In my case my family and I go on November 2, in the morning to clean my grandfather’s tomb and sometimes to paint it; we decorate and change the flowers to make the tomb more colorful, after that in the cemetery the priest does a religious ceremony to be thankful with to the spirits for staying with us and for guiding them with god.

Some Mexican Traditions

by Valeria Clemente Lorenzo

The culture is a form to communicate the values and cultural events through the time.

The Candelaria

In this time  the people sell  dolls that can be  Jesus child, and clothes to  get dressed at   the Jesus child. The candelaria is celebrated on February 2^nd.In this  culture  the people  look for  godparents  for the Jesus child, where the owners  of the child  and the godparents  need to have respect  among them. This during  three years, the first year the child is presented into a basket, the second year  he is sitting on a chair and the third year he is just starting in the road because now the  child can walk and run.

After this process it necessary to get dressed to the Jesus child and this is made by the godparent. The most important of Candelaria is the “rosca” (bread),that contain some plastic  dolls inside it and  can find when the people are eating the bread, and  who find this dolls is going to give some tamales on February 2^nd.

Christmas 

This tradition is my favorite and the most important for me, because I can stay with my family and friends, besides all  the time is peace and harmony.

This celebration  starts the  first Sunday of  “adviento” when the people bring to the church a crown of adviento with five candles around it, these are of different color like: three types of purples, pink and one white. Each Sunday the people turn on a candle.

On December 16^th starts the “posadas” that represents the nine months that Joseph and Mary were waiting for Jesus. In the posadas the people break piñatas, drink ponche and give to the boys presents that contain candies and some fruits like: cane,  jicama, mandarin orange and tejocotes.

On Christmas Eve (December 25^th) all the family is together and attend to the Christmas ceremony at 12:00 o`clock, after the family runs to opens the presents from each member of the family.

In new  year the celebration is similar to Christmas, but at 12:00 o`clock the people make a toast and eat twelve grapes that represent each month of the year and with each grape you can ask for a desire.

TRADITIONS OF MY TOWN

by Thalia Vázquez Serrano

The identity of Mexico started with the cultures. They built a city which they called Mesoamerica.  The place was the scene of empires located in central and southern Mexico. The ancient civilizations made houses from mud and bricks, were fishermen, built pyramids and used boats to transport goods.  They went to school and learned history, myths and religion, a new language.  Their most popular game was a ball game. They played music, danced, ate corn, avocados and chilli peppers. However, following the Spanish conquest, there were changes to their customs, religion, education, food, clothes, dresses. Gradually, they lost their traditions.  Spain was a dominant colonial power and exerted significant influence over the Mexican’s way of life.

Through of the time, Mexico have changed about the religion according with the Spanish conquest because the religion before was the base of mythical gods, to change, now the people believe in saints; was of influence of the Spanish together with the friars; actually Mexico is polytheistic, only a few are monotheistic, the most popular religion is the Catholicism.  Also according with the religion tradition arise day of the virgin of Guadalupe, day of the dead, day of all saint, Easter week, Las posadas, Christmas Eve.

In my village the people celebrate day Corpus Cristi, they ask for to god the send the rain the first Thursday of June, each year is shown by the people beginning this particular celebration, is very interesting this traditions because have a purpose, it is about a group of 6 people, only older, decide walking to the temple on this day of Corpus Cristi, to make prayer to GOD. They believed were not worthy to look at God face to face, then they to take a wood masks and maguey trunks. their clothes were the ordinary, sacks of ixtle, hallate and blanket, these 6 men meet, one representing the father and another the mother, and others the sons, forming a family, these prayed all day and all night. The principal characteristic is a bull represents evil and disease and the Old Corpus are going to fight it. The bull plays with them in the yard. When they are in the downtown Old Corpus start a tour around the square, they offering a dance and in exchange they receive a product, this is to give their alms and products obtained to Virgin of Guadalupe. If you walk around the downtown you can see all kinds of masks design. Some of my family participate in the celebration Corpus Cristi, is a tradition of Temascalcingo, land of the painter Jose Maria Velasco. The most popular international painter of Mexico for his paintings 

MEXICAN FOOD

by Tanhia Karen Garcia Gomez


Mexican food is perhaps one of the richest in the world, characterized by strong flavors, beans, meat, corn and of course much chili, was selected to be humanity’s cultural heritage. The history of Mexican cuisine has two main elements, the Indian and Spanish. The towns indigenous  who lived in the territory that until today has been know as Mexico basically ate vegetables, beans, corn and peppers, without forget  ingredients such as cocoa, avocado and cactus. Today almost all Mexican food recipes include in its preparing one or more of these ingredients.


To compensate the lack of protein the Indians brought up turkeys and a kind of dogs for food use, but also ate reptiles, fish and some insects, a tradition that still is practice. 


When the Spanish arrived at Mexico add other foods that contributed richness and variety to the fool and made it in what is actually, one of the main elements of this contribution is the pig, which is taken completely because each one of its parts are used for a specific recipe, including butter, it is preparing the food. 


Columbus also arrived with the meat and some cereals like wheat and rice that resulted in the bread, fruits and spices.


Mexican food has been around the world and is very difficult to find a city where there isn’t a restaurant dedicated to cook the traditional Mexican food. The most famous dish is the taco, it has many variants, it is a tortilla made from corn or wheat, on the tortilla add different ingredients like meat, chicken, guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese  and many hot chili sauce. However, the list of dishes is endless, we find for example enchiladas, green and red mole, quesadillas, sopes, burritos, tamales, carnitas, among many others always accompanied with water fresh, beer or tequila.

SAN FRANCISCO’S CARNIVAL

by Taide Citlalli García Garduño

In many towns in Mexico, there are a lot of traditions and customs.  One of these customs is when in some places celebrate  “Santos” (saints), because in Mexico, there are some towns with name of saints and in the calendar, there are some days with saint’s names and in some places or towns celebrate according the day of  any saint, may be with a big party or only to visit the church where the people pray.

I want to share the biggest tradition and custom in my town, the name of my town is San Francisco Tlalcilalcalpan and for that reason in my town, the people celebrate since 1962 or more years, every October 4^th we celebrate “San Francisco de Asis” with a biggest carnival. This carnival lasts three days and in these days the people wearing amazing costumes and dancing Banda (type Mexican’s music) for 12 or 15 hours each day, around of the town, during this route there are a lot of people dancing without costumes and throw flour to other people, also there are stall with Mexican food and beer. Each day when the route finish, the people go at church to pray and thanks for San Francisco because they are good and all the year San Francisco gives them some miracles(like healthy, love or job) or good something.

Well this is the biggest pride of my life because only some town celebrate of this way to their saints and of course that I’m proud because I live in San Francisco!

FERIA DEL ALFEÑIQUE

by  Selene Cid Montoya

The alfeñique´s word, it´s Arabic name, it was used to call cooked and stretche sugar, very thin and twisted bars. We call alfeñique´s figures of sugar, that are made especially for Death´s day.

The aztecas made some figures their “ofrenda.” They were the first alfeñiques who knew this sweet.

At each stage of Mexican Republic there are different alfeñique´s sweet:

I have had the opportunity to visit the Candy´s Regional Fair of Toluca known as Alfeñique´s Fair is already a nice tradition in Toluca, the colorful stalls, of the dealers are placed under the “Portales” of Toluca. Generally the fair begins the last week on October and finished on November 3^rd or 4^th.

The fair is distinguished by the sale and exhibition alfeñique´s sweet. It also has a cultural side like dance, music, theater, shows, concerts, book representations and workshops.

The sweet that gives the name to the fair is the alfeñique figure, that can be mould like casket, skulls, crosses, bones, animals, fruits, angels and animals, there are also Mexican dishes, and I may add, they are different varieties of them like: pumpkin sweet, citron, candied fruit, sugar and amaranth, “charamusca” and so on. These are very traditional on Day of the Death celebration.

Besides sweets you can find all kinds of ornaments of the season, as the famous confetti with figures alluding to the tradition in sizes you could never have imagined!

The sweets are on the other hand a sample of the culture and tradition of many years in Mexico.

I would like to invite you, to know more about this.

Frida Kahlo and The two Fridas

                                       by Yoana Escamilla Santoyo 

Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderon(1907-1954)    best known as Frida Kahlo, was born  in Coyoacan . One of Mexico’s greatest artists, her life became part  of Mexico’s history.

To summarize her life I’ll do mention of some important facts. On her adolescence Kahlo contracted Polio at the age of 18th, then she suffered a very horrendous bus crashed and after this accident she started to paint to entertain herself because she was disable to continue with her studies of medicine as she wanted.

The first aspect to point out is that almost all her paints are self-portraits. “I paint self-portraits”-Frida Kahlo once said-“because I am the person who I know best , I paint my own reality the only thing  that I know  is  that I paint  because I need to.”

Her paintings reflect not only the changes of her face and feelings but also the advance in her life and according to some critics her paintings are surreal and to this , Kahlo answers on her diary “I never paint dreams or nightmares I paint my own reality”  love, sadness, pain, lost, surgery and most often the passion for her husband  the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera and to illustrate this point , I would like to do mention of the great paint  “The Two Fridas”.

It was painted after Diego and Frida’s divorced .The two Fridas sit next to each other holding her own hand. On the right side it is Frida who represents what Diego always wanted  his loved wife , dressed it  on  Mexican  cloths and her left hand holds a little portrait of Diego from which blood flows.

On the left side there is another Frida completely different , because this woman is dressed  with a white  dress and with a broken heart and instead of  Diego’s portrait  she holds  a pair of surgical pincers  which cut off the connection  between  Diego and Frida  representing their divorced and the drops of blood symbolize the pain she feels living without him.

This masterpiece and some others are located  at Museum of modern art  in Mexico city made in oil on canvas. I traveled to Mexico city recently just to admired this painting.When I arrived to the museum there was an advertisement  in which said  that some paintings where in an exhibition in L.A. including The two fridas , in that moment I felt really sad because it was the opportunity to see  the real painting of Frida Kahlo. I will be satisfied after see it.

As has been noted  this gorgeous work has transcended  over the time , and not only make us feel amazed with the colorful and  passion she reflects on her self-portraits but also “Using her own unique "folkloric" style of painting, Frida painted the diary of her life.” (Mike Brooks).

References:

Mike Brooks .”In Loving Memory of Frida Kahlo (1907 - 1954),” [enlínea]. August of 2005. Available on the website: http://www.fridakahlofans.com/index.html Enciclopedia Espasa,  vol.6 2003 Espasa Calpe S.A.