Christmas

by Tanhia Karen García Gómez

The Christmas traditions are influences of several parts of the world. A tradition very common in many places is to sing carols in groups walking on the streets from house to house, this event is known as caroling. “Christmas Carols” give an atmosphere of happiness, hope and celebration, in the house or any other place where it is listened to.

During Christmas, it is common that families send “Christmas Cards” to family and friends, even and they haven’t been seen physically in much time. It is part of the sense of Christmas to reach and to unite to the humanity.

Much people wait for every year the snow.  Many activities come with the snow, including go in sleigh, to ski, to do “ snowmen ”, throwing balls of snow to the other people, and, later the activity returning to the house to take hot chocolate and to warm up themselves and to dry themselves in front of the fire.

Also are very common cooking cakes in family. Most popular they are the sugar cakes. The process is simple, but to be in company of the family is what it makes special, from beating the mass, decorating each cake and finally to cook it.

An element characteristic of Christmas is the decoration of the house. It is very common, that the garden is decorated with lights. The most symbolic element of decoration is the tree or Christmas pine. In the United States, it is very common that the Christmas pine is natural. . One of the most special moments is the process to install the Christmas pine, is the adjustment or decoration of the same, also, the more exciting thing is that it is realized in family.

Santa Claus is the main image of Christmas in the United States. Santa Claus, or San Nicholas, with her particular red shelter arrives at all the houses through the chimneys.

References

http://www.mty.itesm.mx/

http://www.turismoeeuu.com/gente-y-costumbres/

Davis, Fred (1992). Fashion, Culture, and Identity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, p. 69.

St Patrick´s Day: Green Everywhere

By Alejandra Fabela Martinez

Ireland is an island located in Europe. More than the ninety percent of the Irish are Catholic. The influence of the religion in topics like divorce, abortion, the control of birthrate and social topics is very important. The duration of this festival is five days.

The music and the dances are an important tradition of this country. Also there is a very important day “St Patrick´s day”. It´s a festival celebrated on March 17^th. Since 1903, this day was made a public and official day in Ireland; Nowadays St Patrick is the most famous saint in the entire world. For this day people have to wear green cloths and is very common to eat dishes with cabbage and Irish beverages.

St Patrick was a missioner and a preacher; he is considered the introductory of the religion to the island.

There are four principal components of this festival, the Leprechaun, the beer, the clover and St Patrick. Leprechaun is the goblin and is a typical character of the Irish mythology.

On March 17^th, people don´t eat meat, but the traditional dish is the corn beef, that is raw meat. Also the beer is the most popular beverage.

Bands of bagpipes are the most popular for the festival, Celt music is the official hymn of this party. Instruments like violin, Irish bagpipes, flutes tin whistle and the “bodhran” or drum. The traditional dance to accompanist the music is the Irish “step dance”; a unique dance with difficult leg movements while the body is static.

St Patrick’s Day is one of the most important traditions in Ireland, when Irish celebrated during five days full of green and beer, also the bagpipes and the step dance are protagonist of the party, but the mean reason of this party is to celebrate Saint Patrick and all the Catholics and no Catholics celebrated it.

It is not only for the religion. It is because this tradition with special characteristics of Irish people is a big part of their Culture and that things made Ireland unique, and different to other countries.

Sources:

http://eneuropa.about.com/od/FestivalesyFiestas/a/San-Patricio-En-Irlanda.htm

http://sobrehistoria.com/dia-de-san-patricio-una-historia-de-santos-y-duendes-i/

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%ADa_de_San_Patricio

BAGPIPE

By Thalia Vazquez Serrano

Every country has a culture characterized by the food, music, dance, holidays, celebrations, sports, art, religious practices, politics, historical events, etc. It is very interesting to discover about others countries, and to learn new things about their traditions and cultures. Interacting with other people from different countries is a good way to learn about them and their traditions and cultures. These days, one does not need to travel. Only on internet you one can easily talk with a person from another country through the internet, is very easy, now there are many social networking services though which you one can find a new friends, including those from other countries and of different nationalities. If you have knowledge of their native language, language the interview is would be easier. I met an Australian boy for on Facebook. We were pleasantly surprised, because I am Mexican and he is Australian. We exchanged some phrases in English and Spanish. I wanted to know about his culture, I saw some pictures on his album showing about the Police playing Scottish bagpipes at Forest Place just outside Forest Chase in Perth, this very interesting. Then I started an investigation about bagpipes.

The Bagpipes is a musical instrument aerophone, though the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe is a type of bagpipe native to Scotland its usage in the British military and in pipe bands throughout the world, bagpipes have been played for centuries throughout large parts of Europe, the term "bagpipe" is equally correct in the singular or plural, although in the English language, pipers most commonly talk of "the pipes", "a set of pipes", or "a stand of pipes". In these pipes, also called wind pipes. In the military context was a first reference about the bagpipes in Scotland, started with the British military and achieved the bagpipe traditions throughout. The bagpipes are used in role in military and civilian pipe bands, also in a solo virtuosic style. There are many ancient legends and stories about bagpipes, whose origins are now lost. There are records of the Battle of the North Inch of Perth reference "warpipes" being carried into battle. The bagpipes are a Bretona tradition, because the French Army went to serving during the First World War with the help of pipers of Scottish.

The dress of men traditional to play in the bagpipes is a knee length garment with pleats at the rear, original the Scottish, it is made of woollen cloth, is called "kilt", is a knee length garment with pleats at the rear, is made of woollen cloth, now this is used on formal occasions and Highland games, sports events and now roots as an everyday garment.

To hear the bagpipe is really relaxing.

 

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.

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.

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!

My people Aculco

by  Lino Iniesta Padilla

Aculco is my town, which is located north of the state of Mexico, people here are very friendly, full of culture and traditions because there are many foods we eat for instance most of the population is peasant farmer where produce cheese, caramel, cream, and the typical food of this place is the barbecue, broth, carnitas, mole poblano, beveragesare pulque, curing liquor, among others.  another great thing I like is that everybody knows riding and ranch tradiconal wear clothes and look great

I love the holidays because my people do dances where the music is the main banda,ranchera, cumbia, which is more pleased for the people attending these events andmany people can find new friends and have a very nice to your family, also in the village fair do various activities such as horse racing, traditional dances of the people, there are two waterfalls where people go to camp and bathe in the center is a nicekiosk in front of the presidency and the other the beautiful church on the weekendsmost of the men play sports like football and attend after the market where they selldelicious food originating Aculco.

There are also discoteks to go dancing and drinking a little, and on Friday afternoonsoften do youth meetings where they sell food, drinks, no music and many young peopleattend because they spend a great time.

that's why I like it and I invite anyone to think one day visit.