Cultures defined as the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. Mexico has a clear defined culture full of supporting history, unique people, and amazing traditions. The three colors of the nation’s flag hold deep meaning to the people. Green stands for victory and hope, white represents for the purity of the ideas of Mexico, and red for the blood shed by the nation’s heroes. The nation’s customs are and continue to display what the people stand for as a nation. These areas show what Mexico are today.
The story of Mexico is told by its history, and conflicts that still shows today.
Early history for Mexico can go back as far as 1200 B.C. to 900 B.C. when the first society settled in the area of the Gulf of Mexico, which is now the city known as Veracruz. This society of settlers is known as the Olmec’s. The Olmec managed to last until about 600 B.C.
Mid history allowed Mexico to have its most developed point in history.
Around 250 A.D to 900 A.D the Mayans conquered the land now known as Mexico City. The Mayans had a unique style of architecture that still stand to date. They were able to develop things such as the writing system and the calendar during their time. Around the 10th century the Mayan civilization fell. Many believe Mayans died off due to Eco imbalance or overpopulation.
Mexico’s most history defining moment was during its major conflicts. One of the most well-known moments in history was the Mexican-American War. On 13 May 1846, the United States declared war Mexico. Texas, Oregon, and California were on bark to become part of the United States. On February 2, 1848, the war that was seen as a long border skirmish ended due to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. The war was over and although Mexico lost the fight for territory, they had managed gain finical stability from the United States by a payout of 18 million dollars. This war was the longest conflict in history at the time, and was seen as an enormous win for both sides. The Mexican-American War forever changed the geographical layout of Mexico as well the United States.
The geography of Mexico is fairly simple yet complexed. This nation filled with everything from peaked mountains, to aired deserts, and even dense rain forests. The climate of this area dictates every environment in that country. Northern Mexico is comprised of desert and mountain ranges with a few high elevation plains. Central Mexico is home of some of the highest mountain peaks in the country. Many of which are volcanic. Central Mexico also has one of the most prominent valleys due to the fertile soil from volcanic ash. The Valley of Mexico is the most known and where the majority of Mexico’s people have settled. These environments are what forged the civilizations of Mexico, Forcing them to adapt to the culture that is the Mexican people today.
The proud people of Mexico hold their family values, religion, and deep a since of pride for their language. Their family values are one of the biggest examples of their culture. From infancy to the elderly, the Mexican people hold family values as one of the most important things to them. Families are typically large as the elders generally keep the family very close. Most families of Mexico will have up to three generations in the same household, to include in-laws and friends, who are at most times thought of as aunts or uncles. The family ties of the people of Mexico are a shining testament to what values they keep close.
Catholicism is the dominate religion of Mexico. About seventy-five percent of Mexico is in the practice of the Catholic Church. In Mexico City remains The Basilica of Guadalupe, a building that created between the 16th and 18th century. This building represents the patron saint of Mexico. Each year many people near and far travel to worship at the shrine. Although The Basilica of Guadalupe is the most popular, there are many other pilgrimage sites, shrines, and churches in the country. These areas allow the people to keep faith as a big part of their lives.
Mexico’s national language is Spanish. It is known to be a very romantic and beautiful language. According to research conducted by the CIA, about ninety-two percent of Mexico’s population speaks Spanish. Six percent of the population speaks an indigenous language as well as Spanish. Within that, six percent is about sixty different languages.
Mexico is a country whose traditions contribute highly to the economic value through its culture. The arts, food, and sports speak volume of what their traditions are. The arts of the area can be found everywhere you look. From the clothing worn to the music played in the streets all over Mexico. The clothing worn by women is called a huipil. It is a sleeveless style dress made of cotton garnished by simple colors. The clothing worn by men is called a churro suit. It is worn boots and a hat called a sombrero, which is large brimmed hat that provides a lot of shade. Clothing is a prime example of the arts Mexico provide.
Music is also a fine art of Mexico. Mariachi style folk music is what is closely associated with Mexican style music. It consists of a trumpets, violins, guitars, basses, and vihuelas; which is a traditional five-string style of guitar. This style of music is typically about written about Mexican life, and performed during a time of celebration.
The food of Mexico is everywhere. Mexican foods are served in the streets by vendors; in restaurants by local chefs; and in the homes of families by their loved ones. Mexican cuisine differs by region due to what is grown there. Most dishes are made from corn, squash, or beans because of the influence from their ancient ancestors. Mexico is also known for a popular beverage call tequila. Tequila is an alcoholic beverage made from the agave cactus plant, and sometimes has a woodworm in it.
Out of many traditions form Mexico, one of the most interesting is their traditional sports. The favorite sport of Mexico is soccer, which is widely known around the world. One of the more traditional sports is bull fighting. This has been popular for the last four-hundred years. In this sport, it is a competition between the bullfighter and a bull where the goal of the bullfighter to dodge the attacks of the bull in order to kill it using spears. Another traditional sport is Lucha Libre, a Mexican style professional wrestling. Lucha Libre, which means free fight, is a match of artistic styled costumes and mask. Two or more opponents fight using high flying acrobatic to best their opponents. Traditional sports of Mexico are a shining steeple the country’s culture.
Cultures defined as the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. Mexico has a clear defined culture full of supporting history, unique people, and amazing traditions. The story of Mexico is told by its history, and conflicts that still shows today. The proud people of Mexico hold their family values, religion, and deep a since of pride for their language. Mexico is a country whose traditions contribute highly to the economic value through its culture. The arts, food, and sports speak volume of what their traditions are. Mexico is a culture rich nation that has enjoyed by the world.
References
- Editors, H. (2009, November 9). History of Mexico. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/history-of-mexico
- Kim Ann Zimmermann. (2017, July 20). Mexican Culture: Customs & Traditions. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/38647-mexican-culture.html
- The Mexican-American war in a nutshell – National Constitution Center. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-mexican-american-war-in-a-nutshell
- Physical Geography of Mexico. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/physical-geography-of-mexico.html
