There are two essential elements to constitute the so-called traditions: first, a doctrine, a pattern of coexistence, a rite or custom; and secondly, that it be transmitted from generation to generation.
Likewise, each community around the world has its own traditions and in our country there are countless examples, such as the celebration of Independence; the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe; Three Kings Day or the cult of the dead, in November.
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Our traditions and their origin in pre-Hispanic cultures
While it is true that most of our traditions come from religious syncretism, that mixture between the customs of the native peoples and Catholic rites (a consequence of the Conquest); A good part of our identity is still based on the greatness of the Mayans, Toltecs, Zapotecs, Olmecs, Teotihuacanos and of course, the Mexica.
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And the study of these civilizations makes their magnificence clear: there is the astronomical and mathematical knowledge of the Mayans; the power achieved by the Mexica empire and its vision of how the world was created; and the mastery with which the Toltecs built the Atlanteans in Tula, Hidalgo, to mention a few examples.
Mexico today
Currently our country is recognized throughout the world for its cultural wealth, which is demonstrated in a thousand ways: in its gastronomy, archaeological sites, its crafts and of course, in its traditions.
Likewise, these vary from region to region, such as the Dance of the Parachicos in Chiapas, a ritual practiced since 1711 according to the INAH; the celebration of the Virgin of Candelaria in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz; And what can we say about the Papantla flyers, admired beyond our borders and who have kept this ceremony alive for 2,500 years.
Great traditions: Mexican food
Our gastronomy deserves special mention, declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2010 by UNESCO, the result of the fusion of ingredients of pre-Hispanic origin, such as corn and chili; and those from Europe, among which cattle and sheep stand out, and the products derived from these, milk, butter and cheese.
Today, Mexican cuisine is delicious and varied; In the north we find dishes made with meat, such as goat, machaca and chilorio; In the southeast we can taste cochinita pibil, lime soup and papadzules, for example; The center of the country offers endless options: Jalisco or Guerrero style pozole; the great Pueblan moles, the Hidalgo barbecue and the Oaxacan tlayudas to name just a few.
Experience the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca this 2023!
The mystical Day of the Dead
Finally, if we talk about traditions, we cannot fail to mention the cult of the dead; a ritual of pre-Hispanic origin that, with the arrival of the Spanish, was united with the commemoration of All Souls, celebrated by the Catholic Church and which today is celebrated with offerings for the dead, literary skulls and recently, with the catrina parades in several cities in the country.
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