AyiConnect Staff, Dec 27, 2022
What do they have in common?
These countries, belonging to Latin America, share many customs and traditions, due to their indigenous, European and African influence. Another aspect they have in common is that they are the top three countries with the highest rate of immigration to the United States.
In this article, we will focus on making you know in more detail about them.
MEXICO
Facts:
- Home to the world’s largest pyramid
- 69 different languages are spoken.
- Latin America’s most visited tourist destination.
- Mexican cuisine is officially World Cultural Heritage.
- Mexican Burritos are only eaten in the North.
Mexicans are characterized by being hardworking, cheerful, educated people, affectionate, united to their family and close environment, they like to help others, are faithful to their country and traditions, and have an excellent sense of humor, living with Mexicans is the fun definition.
10 Mexican traditions you should know:
Day of the Dead
It is a celebration of Mesoamerican origin that honors the deceased on November 2, starting from November 1. It also coincides with the Catholic celebrations of All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day.
Gastronomy
One of the most outstanding aspects of Mexico worldwide is its food. In each of the states we can find various typical dishes. The tamales, tacos, pozole, mescal, the “chipilin”, and others.
Mariachi
Mexican custom and tradition that cannot be missing in any important celebration. Especially at weddings, fifteen-year celebrations, graduations and anniversaries.
Serenatas
The serenata is a traditional activity that consists of interpreting a group of songs during the night or at dawn in the open air to pay tribute to a woman, with the aim of claiming her, celebrating her birthday or for some specific reason, such as the Day of Mother.
Ritual ceremony of Los Voladores de papantla
According to UNESCO, its objective is to express the respect professed towards nature and the spiritual universe.
Quinceanera Party
It traditionally includes a thanksgiving mass and a big party to celebrate the coming-out or passage from childhood to adulthood.
Chili
Chili is the quintessential Mexican condiment. And remember, if they tell you it's barely itchy, it's at your own risk.
Tequila
Tequila is a Mexican drink, similar to gin, originally from the municipality of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco. Mexican custom both as an appetizer, digestive and even to sing with the mariachi.
Kings Day
This Mexican custom and tradition is celebrated on January 6 and is characterized by the preparation of the traditional Rosca de Reyes. So we have a sweet bread, decorated with crystallized fruits that is shared at the table during dinner.
Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico
It is one of the most anticipated Mexican customs of the year and takes place on September 15 and 16. In addition, on the night of September 15, the president of the republic emulates El Grito de Dolores from the National Palace. The national holidays culminate on September 16 with a military parade through the main streets of Mexico City and the rest of the country's public squares.
VENEZUELA
Facts:
- One of the largest indices of biodiversity, including a large number of endemic species.
- Has the most active area for lightning strikes in the world. This weather phenomenon is the Catatumbo lightning.
- Home of the world’s highest waterfall (Salto Angel).
- Venezuela has the largest oil reserves.
- There are three World Heritage Site: Canaima National Park, Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas, and the port of Coro.
Venezuelans are characterized by being friendly, by the good treatment they offer, they are talkative, cheerful, they adapt quickly to any circumstance, loyal, respectful, generous, hospitable and with a good sense of humor.
10 customs and traditions of Venezuela:
The Dancing Devils of Yare
The day of Corpus Christi celebrates the dancing devils of Yare, a religious festival that dates back to the 18th century. Its objective is to worship the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar and celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
The Parranda of San Pedro
Every June 29 this festivity is celebrated that has its origin in the colonial era. The Parranda de San Pedro is famous in the cities of Guatire and Guarenas in the state of Miranda.
Birthday Song
The song "Ay, what a beautiful night" or better known as "Happy Birthday" is part of the general culture of Venezuela. This song of Venezuelan culture was created by guitarist Luis Cruz in the 1960s.
Typical Games
The most popular is the stick encebao. It consists of filling a wooden stick with a height greater than 5 meters with fat. The participants have to climb it, using all kinds of strategies, until they reach the top and get a prize. Also, metras is usually played, which has several game modes. Other games of the Venezuelan culture are the gurrufío and the perinola.
Dance of San Juan Bautista
This festival of Venezuelan culture takes place every June 24. It brings together a large number of believers and devotees to celebrate the birth of San Juan Bautista, while performing different religious and cultural acts during midnight, dawn and the night of the celebration.
Hammock Dance
On Mondays and Tuesdays of carnival in some parts of the state of Carabobo, the dance of the hammock or burial of the hammock is held. It is a folk festival that is more than 100 years old.
The Nazarene of San Pablo
This festival brings together a tremendous number of people who travel to Caracas to honor the image of the Nazarene, venerated in the Basilica of Santa Teresa.
Carnivals
Venezuelan culture is very receptive to the celebration of carnivals. Throughout the country it is common to see troupes, parades and a multitude of people dressed as all kinds of characters.
The Monkey Dance
The monkey dance is part of the culture of the Venezuelan indigenous people. It is celebrated every December 28 and it is believed that it has been carried out for a century by the aborigines who reside in Caicara of Maturín, in the Monagas state.
Holy Week
Holy Week is the Christian commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, which takes place every year forty days after Ash Wednesday.
CUBA
Facts:
- Has one of the highest literacy rates in the world
- Playing dominoes is a national past-time
- Santeria is the second most popular religion after Catholicism
- Full or World Heritage sites: Viñales Valley, Old Havana and San Pedro de la Roca castle.
- Home of the World’s smallest bird.
Cubans share a representation of themselves characterized essentially by extroversion, ease with human relations, happiness, intelligence, liveliness and a sense of humor.
10 traditions and customs of Cuba
Havana Carnivals
The carnivals in Cuba are held in August, with massive parades, which exhibit floats with salsa, rumba, and even reggaeton dances.
End of the year's party
At the end of the year party, the whole family gets together to celebrate the beginning of a new year. That night, people usually throw water into the street, in a ritual where the aim is to expel all the bad things of the year that is ending while the entrance is cleaned to attract positive energy.
The Changui
Changui is a Cuban musical genre that was born in the eastern part of the island. It is celebrated from December 21 to 25, in the city of Guantánamo.
Play domino
All Cubans know how to play dominoes. It is common to see groups playing in the streets of Cuba, between tournaments and even bets in the neighborhoods.
The Guateque
In the Guateques, neighbors from all over the area meet to dance, sing tenths and controversy.
Throw Coins on the Boardwalk and Make a Wish
In the past, when the islanders were overwhelmed by their problems, they would sit on the Havana boardwalk to throw 7 cents at the Virgen de Regla, the owner of the seas. Thus, they made a wish and prayed.
Parrandas and Guarachas
A guaracha in Cuba is a party with dancing and rum, which lasts until dawn. The most frequent dances are the casino.
Turn The Ceiba Over
On November 16, Cubans visit the Cathedral church and ask San Cristóbal (the saint of travelers) to grant them new trips.
Drum Festival
It is a dance with music that is celebrated in the province of Pinar del Río, accompanied by a congrí, yucca, a roast pork, and brandy that is sprinkled on the skin of the drum.
Set Money On Fire Around the Bride
A curious custom in Cuba is that guests who want to dance with a bride during the wedding will have to light a bill in front of her.
Due to the high migration rates that these countries have to the United States, it is important to know the main characteristics of these cultures, since we could easily meet some of them and it is a good thing to make them feel that they belong here.
References
https://www.illamo.com/blog/curiosidades-cuba/costumbres-tradiciones-cuba/
https://www.quierovuelos.com.ar/tradiciones-y-costumbres-de-cuba/
https://theplanetd.com/facts-about-cuba/
https://elviajerofeliz.com/cultura-venezolana/#10_costumbres_y_tradiciones_de_Venezuela
https://venezuela704.wordpress.com/2016/02/25/la-personalidad-del-venezolano/
https://excursionesrivieramaya.es/10-usos-costumbres-mexicanas-debes-conocer/
https://www.fundacionunam.org.mx/unam-al-dia/sabes-que-define-al-mexicano/
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