Mexican Culture

LANGUAGE

Native languages

Spanish is the official and predominant language of Mexico , spoken to some extent by nearly the entire population. Dozens of indigenous languages exist, but are spoken by relatively few. However, some of these languages, particularly Nahuatl , have had a significant impact on Mexican Spanish, lending words that are not found in the Spanish of Spain or the rest of Latin America. This is especially evident in the names of common plants and animals, such as the use of "zopilote" instead of the standard "buitre" as a translation of "vulture". Some words such as "escuincle/a", which literally means dog but has taken on the meaning of "child", have become common in the daily vocabulary of Mexico. Other words from Nahuatl have been incorporated into Spanish throughout Latin America, and even English, such as tomato, chocolate, coyote, and avocado.

Chingar

The word '' Chingar '' and its forms have become characteristics of Mexican spanish and important parts of Mexican culture. Octavio Paz devotes a full chapter in his cultural treatise '' The Labyrinth Of Solitude '' to the term. Often extremely vulgar, the word is generally translated "to rape", but many other uses exist. The history of the word is generally traced to the conquest of the Spanish, when the conquistadors took Native American women, the original ''chingadas''. ''Chinga a tu madre'' ("rape your mother") is often considered the strongest Mexican curse, and ''vete a la chingada'' roughly translates "go to hell". Other uses are somewhat more tame – a Mexican might say ''no me chingues'', a fairly strong version of "don't annoy me", or if a Mexican is beaten in a business deal or in sports, ''me chingaron'' might be used.

Also the word ''Chingar'' have good or neutral meanings ''Soy chingon'', could mean in english "I rule" or "Im the very best", ''¡No chingues!'' means someting like "no way!!" (meaning you find something hard to believe), ''¡Que chingon!,'' could be used to say "Wow, that's cool!" in a more aggressive way, ''¡que chinga!,'' roughtly translates like "what a heavy duty!", ''¡A la chingada!,'' is used when you receive bad news and you don't cleary know what to say at the moment, (a strong version of "Oh my God!).

The word ''Fregar'' ("to clean the floor", or simply "to clean hardly") are used sometimes in the same way that "Chingar" is used.

RELATIONSHIPS

Family

Mexican culture is known for the unified nature of the family. The country's Divorce rate is among the lowest in the world (0.33 divorces per 1000 population, compared to 4.95 in the United States) {Link without Title} . Children regularly live with their parents until they marry, even if they remain single until their thirties or later. It is also quite common for family units to remain connected, often with grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and children all living in the same area or even in the same house. Loyalty within the family is absolute – brothers will fight for the honor of their sisters, and family members are often tapped for employment opportunities.

The roles of the parents in Mexican culture are generally well-defined, with the father acting as the family's ruler and the mother as the family's heart. Machismo (Spanish for "male Chauvinism ") is quite common in Mexican families, with the father exercising authority in a manner not unlike a dictatorship. Some have called Adultery a social norm for men, and abuse, both physical and emotional, is not uncommon. Wives are generally expected to endure this treatment from their husbands, and many consider it acceptable behavior. A mother is often exclusively responsible for maintaining the household and caring for the children, who as a result often revere her, while fearing their authoritarian father.

In the past few decades, these stereotypes have begun to break down somewhat. As influences from the United States continue to shape Mexican culture, machismo is slowly becoming more recognized and despised, especially in the northern part of the country, where the American influence is more pronounced. In southern and more rural communities, however, these basic behaviors continue to exist.

Community

Unlike the United States where a decline in the sense of community is clearly present, and most people commute to work and socialize on some basis other than geographic proximity, one nation that still values “community” in its cities and towns, its plazas and schools, and its work organizations is Mexico. In Mexican culture
the expectation of working and socializing together is a key component of society, and has a basis in the strong ties formed within the family.

However, lack of faith in the government and other organizations is a result of widespread Political Corruption . Even at the lowest levels, police officers readily accept ''mordidas'' (" Bribe s") from those wishing to avoid the nuisance of a traffic ticket or a night in prison. In recent years, the government has begun addressing this corruption by reducing the number of state-owned businesses and calling on Mexicans to refuse to give bribes. This, however, has proven difficult, and the progress has been slow.

International

Mexico's relationships with the rest of the world are also quite complex. The arrival and conquest of the Spaniards left the country searching for an identity – as a result of extensive inbreeding with the Spanish (the vast majority of Mexicans are '' Mestizo '', that is, mixed blood), they lost their native heritage, but similarly are not like their European conquerors. Today, the Spanish are generally well-thought of.

'' Gringo s'', that is, those from the United States, are also often treated well. However, many Mexicans have not forgiven the United States for taking half their land as a result of the Mexican-American War and the Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo . Additionally, feelings of being politically neglected and the illegal immigration issue often lead to hard feelings.

RELIGION

, soap, candles for protection from enemies, and "rain of gold" powder]]
During the Spanish conquest and colonization of Mexico, Roman Catholicism was established as the dominant religion of Mexico, and today, about 89% of Mexicans identify themselves with that division of Christianity . Evangelical denominations have grown in recent years, to about 6% of the population, after being introduced by missionaries and settlers from Europe and the United States in the 19th Century . Other religions make up the remaining 5%, with the most notable growth among The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints and the Jehovah's Witnesses .

The methods of Spanish domination of the Mexican indigenous people often resulted in forced conversions to Catholicism, which ultimately meant that the people continued in their previous belief system. This led to widespread religious syncretism, since indigenous religious practices were incorporated into the practices of Catholicism. It also explains the general lack of conviction among Mexican Catholics today – instead of being a religion that was chosen by individuals, it was forced upon a whole group.

Perhaps the most striking example of this fusion of different traditions is the widespread veneration of Our Lady Of Guadalupe . The Day Of The Dead is another example of religious syncretism, in which the European Catholic All Saints' Day is combined with indigenous rites of ancestor veneration. In many Mexican communities, '' Curandero s'' (traditional healers) use indigenous folk medicine, spiritual, and Christian faith healing to treat ailments and "cleanse" spiritual impurities.

ART

stone carved mural at the ITESM in Monterrey , Mexico, portraying a battle between the mythological gods Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca ]]
Mexico is known worldwide for its Folk Art traditions, mostly derived from a combination of the indigenous and Spanish crafts. Particularly notable among handicrafts are the clay pottery made in the valley of Oaxaca and the bird and animal figures made in the village of Tomala. Colorfully embroidered cotton garments, cotton or wool shawls and outer garments, and colorful baskets and rugs are seen everywhere. Between the Spanish conquest and the early Twentieth Century , Mexican fine arts were largely in imitation of European traditions. After the Mexican Revolution , a new generation of Mexican artists led a vibrant national movement that incorporated political, historic, and folk themes in their work. The painters Diego Rivera , José Clemente Orozco , and David Alfaro Siqueiros became world famous for their grand scale murals, often displaying clear social messages. Rufino Tamayo and Frida Kahlo (Rivera's wife) produced more personal works with abstract elements. Mexican art Photography was largely fostered by the work of Manuel Alvarez Bravo .

LITERATURE AND POETRY

Main article: Literature Of Mexico

Mexico has a long and distinguished literary tradition. Sor Juana Inés De La Cruz ( 1651 – 1695 ), a nun in Colonial Mexico, wrote many fine poems and won fame for her defense of women's rights. José Joaquín Fernández De Lizardi ( 1776 – 1827 ) is often considered the first important Hispanic American Novelist for his satirical novel '' El Periquillo Sarniento '' ("The Mangy Parrot") (c. 1816).

Juan Rulfo wrote two of the most influential works in the history of latin-american literature: El llano en llamas, a collection of short stories, where Rulfo depicts themes such as social injustice and every-day life in the poorest zones of mexico, and Pedro Paramo, a both oniric and realistic novel which is commonly associated with the beginning of "magical realism".

The influential poet Octavio Paz won the Nobel Literature Prize in 1990. He was an influential figure also in the fields of diplomatic service and cultural promotion.

The city of Guadalajara hosts the biggest and most important International Book Fair of the Spanish-speaking world each year, known best as the "FIL" (Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara in Spanish, or Guadalajara International Book Fair in English). In 2006, it will be celebrating its 20th edition and the guest of honor will be "Andalucía"

MUSIC

Main article:

The music of Mexico is extraordinarily diverse and features a wide range of different musical styles. The best-known Mexican genre by far is ranchera, interpreted by a band called Mariachi . This style of traditional Mexican song which is considered old-fashioned but respected traditional music and is usually listened to as much as modern music. Mexican ranchera styles, including Norteño and Banda , are not only popular within Mexico itself, but they are also frequently enjoyed by Mexican immigrants in both rural and urban American communities. Norteño , similar to Tejano Music and Tex-Mex , arose in the 1830s and 40s in the Rio Grande border region of southern Texas . Influenced by Bohemia n immigrant miners, its rhythm was derived from the European Polka dance popular during the 1800s . Banda , similar to norteño in musical form, originated from the Mexico state of Sinaloa during the 1960s . Other new styles such as Cumbia , Pop , and Rock have seen increased popularity as the music of Mexico faces a new generation of young people.

CUISINE

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Mexican cuisine is known for its intense and varied flavors, colorful decoration, and the variety of spices that it has. Mexican gastronomy, in terms of diversity of appealing tastes and textures, is one of the richest in the world, rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, though some people unaccustomed to eating it characterize it as greasy and excessively spicy.

SPORT

: ''Main article'': Sport In Mexico
The sport in which the Mexicans eat and speak and gained international success in is soccer. This is by far the most popular game in the country. Every state has its own representative team.

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Mexican Culture