what is cultural identity?
Cultural identity is an individuals personal sense of belonging to a specific culture. The individual has ties to that cultures food, music, traditions, arts and religions.
languages
The first language in most Latino and Hispanic countries typically is Spanish. However, not all Latinos speak Spanish. Countries like french Guiana and Brazil are still considered Latino countries despite not being Spanish-speaking countries. Mexico is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. Spanish is a Latin language and was brought to mexico in the 16th century by Spanish explorers. Before that, there were around 68 languages spoken by the indigenous population of mexico.
Over 130 indigenous languages have gone extinct over the years along with their customs and cultures. Only about 6% of Mexico's population speaks an indigenous language.
My father and my stepmom speak Spanish 24/7, whereas me and my siblings do not.
physical traits
mexico as a whole
Mexicans with dark eyes, dark hair and dark skin are more than likely to be part native Mexican. A good chunk of Mexicans however are very pale with light eyes and hair. The white Mexicans are mestizos, or Mexicans with high European descent. The Mexican population is too diverse to be one set physical trait.
latinos
The people of Latin america are from a wide variety of ethnic groups and races due to their unique ancestries. Between 60-70% of african slaves ended up in south america, therefore a large population of south america is black. the rest are ameridians (indigenous) or white. South america is one of the most diverse continents in the world.
Mexican food
If there's one thing mexico is known for, it's corn. Corn remains a deeply rooted symbol in ancient mexican culture, harvested from a grass in meso-america 10,000 years ago. Tortillas, which are made from corn, have a spotlight appearance in every dish at every time of the day.
Each area in mexico has their own specific taste. In the north states, meats, cheeses, vegetables and fruits are popular. The bajio region is known for its pork, rice and sausages. The south pacific has wide varieties of chili peppers and the south is renown for its spices. The Gulf region has corn and vanilla.
Mexican food in my house usually has american twists to it, like potato tacos and enchilada casseroles.
mexican muralistic movement
The Mexican muralist movement began as public political propaganda commissions by a Mexican dictator who wanted to model Mexico after Europe. unfortunately for Porfirio Diaz, the artists he commissioned did not support him and believed Mexican art should reflect Mexican life.
Alebrije
Alebrijes are a form of paper mache crafts that typically resemble animals.
In modern day mexico they can often be found at the head of parade floats or carved out of wood
If there's any music that makes someone think of mexico, its mariachi music. Mariachi music is typically comprised of guitars, violins, and trumpets and is played at celebrations like weddings and parties.
Mariachi music originated from the southerns states of mexico, but mostly in Jalisco where Guadalajara is considered the home of mariachi.
A Vihuela is an instrument similar to a guitar with a higher pitch. Vihuelas originated in Spain, Portugal and Italy in the 15th century and were brought to Mexico by the Spanish.
religion
The nahua religion of mexico was comparable to ancient Egyptian ans Assyrian beliefs due to their concepts of mathematics and astronomy. The Aztecs believed that death was an important part of life and demanded human tributes from vanquished tribes. These rituals would be carried out in public as they offered their blood to Aztec gods.
Once the Spaniards conquered mexico, they pushed roman Catholicism into lands and brought about one of the fastest growing religions at its time. Almost every other indigenous religion had gone totally extinct, but some Aztec deities had been preserved and reused in new catholic faiths.
a comming of age - the quinceanera
a quinceanera is the Hispanic tradition of celebrating the transition from a girl to a woman on her 15th birthday. In catholic mexico, the celebration begins with a religious ceremony. the girl is accompanied by her court of honor, which is made up of close friends and relatives of her choice. during the ceremony, a choreographed dance is performed by the girl and her court. Mexican americans sometimes combine the american Sweet 16 with a Quinceanera.
It is customary for the girl to receive a tiara, a prayer bible and rosary, and a septor during the ceremony.
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Arellano, Gustavo. “How Latino Are Mexicans?” OC Weekly, 15 Feb. 2017
Clark, Jonathan D. “Entry on the Word Mariachi from The Latino Encyclopedia.” Entry on the Word Mariachi from The Latino Encyclopedia, New York: Marshall Cavendish Corp, 1996
Cooper, Melissa. “Mexican Staple Foods.” LEAFtv, 17 Mar. 2010
Gonzales, Sylvia. “History of the Mariachi.” History of the Mariachi
“Hispanic vs Latino.” Hispanic vs Latino - Difference and Comparison | Diffen
“Languages of Mexico - Mexican Indigenous Languages | Don Quijote.” DonQuijote
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“PBS.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service
“The People of the Corn.” Cultural Survival
“Top 10 Most Popular Ethnic Cuisines in US « All About America.” Top 10 Most Popular Ethnic Cuisines in US « All About America
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Vallen, Mark. “» Diego Rivera.” RSS, 13 May 2012
Credits:
Created with images by jay galvin - "Murals from street outside Frida Kahlo Blue House" • Couleur - "salad taco salad mexican" • tanakawho - "Mexican dance" • AmberAvalona - "mother mary jesus catholic" • kevin dooley - "Mariachi!" • chimichagua - "Chihuahua at Blessing of the Animals, Downtown L.A." • fmelix - "flag spain sky" • ASSY - "brazilian flag ordem e progresso olympiad in" • Pawiis09 - "mexico flag mexican flag" • Filter Forge - "Corn Texture" • jay galvin - "Tango Dance Mural" • @eduardorobles - "Alebrijes (20)" • Michel LeRoux - "100_2626" • darrellperry - "sombrero hat mariachi" • Dimitry B - "Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacan, Mexico" • PunkToad - "Virgin of Guadalupe" • paroca71 - "colours mexican colorful"