An Introduction to

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An Introduction to
Mexican Culture
Holidays
By Katy Haas
March 19, 2002
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Items of Discussion

• Definition of Culture
• Aniversario de la Constitución
  (Constitution Day)
• Natalicio de Benito Juárez
  (Benito Juárezs Birth)
• Pascua (Easter)
• Batalla de Puebla (Battle of Puebla or
  Cinco de Mayo)
• Día de la Independencia (Independence Day)
• Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

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• Aniversario de la Revolución Mexicana
  
  
  
  
  (Revolution Day)
• Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our Lady
  
  
  
  
  of Guadalupe)
• Posadas Navideñas (Pre-Christmas Festivities)
• Navidad (Christmas)
• Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day)

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People learn cultureThe system of shared
beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and
artifacts that the members of society use to cope
with their world and with one another, and that
are transmitted from generation to generation
through learning.
What is Culture?
Bates, Daniel and Fred Plog. 1991. Human Adaptive
Strategies. New York McGraw-Hill.
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Venustiano Carranza in La Cañada, Querétaro

• February 5 Aniversario de la Constitución
• (Constitution Day)

Six constitutions 1812, 1824, 1836, 1837, 1857,
and 1917.
Constitution of 1917 Individual rights, social
welfare, labor, and land.
Mexico as a representative, democratic, and
federal republic, composed of 31 sovereign
states and a Federal District.
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1847-1852 Governor of Oaxaca.
March 21 Natalicio de Benito Juárez
(Benito Juárezs Birth)
Mexican National Hero and First President of
Indian Descent
1853-1856 Chief figure in drawing up
the Plan of Ayutla.
1858 Becomes acting president when Ignacio
Comonfort resigns.
1864-1867 French attempt to establish a Mexican
empire under Maximilian. In
resistance, capital moved to
El Paso del Norte (later renamed Juárez).
1867 and 1871 Reelected as President.
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Combination of Semana Santa (Holy Week) and
Pascua (Easter).
Late March or Early April Pascua (Easter)
Begins with Lent on Ash Wednesday.
A time to abstain from eating meat, but enjoy
"Capirotada.

• On the Friday of Passion Week,
  before Good Friday, altars are
  set up in
  homes.

Holy Week, or Major Week, begins on Palm Sunday.
The Trial of Christ - Ajijic
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In 1862, under Texas-born General
Ignacio Zaragoza,
5,000 ill-equipped
Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated
the
French army.
May 5 Batalla de Puebla (Battle of Puebla or
Cinco de Mayo)
A symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism.

• French attempt to establish a Mexican
  empire under
  Maximilian.

Wrongly equated with Mexican Independence Day,
which was on September 16, 1810.
Kept Napoleon III from supplying U.S. confederate
rebels for another year. Allowed the U.S. to
build a great army that defeated the Confederates
at Gettysburg.
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September 16 Día de la Independencia




(Independence Day)

• 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain. Imposed his
  brother José Bonaparte, as king of Spain.

Discontent grew amongst Criollos. Served as




an opportunity to seek independence from
Spain.
1810 Plans to start war on October 2
were discovered. Decided to revolt immediately.
September 16 Father Miguel Hidalgo and El Grito
de Dolores.
The Present The night of September 15th and
the Presidents reenactment at the National
Palace.
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October 31 - November 2 Día de los Muertos
(Day of the Dead)

• Veil between the lands of the living and
  the dead is lifted for a short
  time each year.

The souls of those who died make a long journey
home.
To honor and welcome them, offerings are
prepared.



On this ofrenda are placed
reminders of lifes sweetness.
Gravesites are cleaned and decorated.
A time of great festivity and reunion, rather
than



mournful lamentation.
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November 20, 1910 Aniversario de la Revolución
Mexicana (Revolution Day)

• Es mejor morir en los pies que vivir en las
  rodillas
  (It is better to die on your feet
  than to live on your knees)

The dictatorship of President Porfirio Diaz.
Francisco Madero, the Anti-reeleccionista
Party, and the Plan of San Luis.
The capture of Ciudad Juárez.
Madero elected as President.
Pancho Villa
Emiliano Zapata
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1709 The original church replaced by the
Basilica of Guadalupe.
December 12 Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our
Lady of Guadalupe)
Cuauhtlatoatzin (One who talks like an eagle"
or Eagle that talks) baptized Juan Diego.

• December 9, 1531 La Virgen De Guadalupe appears
  to Juan Diego, telling him of her
  desire to have a church built.

December 12, 1531 La Virgens image appears to
Juan Diego a second time.
Juan Diego presents the image of La Virgen,
which had been emblazoned on his cloak.
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December 25 Navidad (Christmas)
December 16-24 Posadas Navideñas (Pre-Christmas
festivities)
Commemoration of Mary and Josephs journey from
Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter.
Each night, a party is held in a neighborhood
home.
On Christmas Eve, the last Posada arrives at the
Church. Celebrations include dances and
exchanged greetings.
Christmas Day has no special celebration.

• January 6 Los Santos Reyes (Three
  Kings Day)

Shoes full of presents from the Los Reyes Magos,
rather that stuffed stockings from Santa Claus.
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Review Mexican Holidays

• Definition of Culture
• Aniversario de la Constitución
• Natalicio de Benito Juárez
• Pascua
• Batalla de Puebla
• Día de la Independencia
• Día de los Muertos

• Aniversario de la
  Revolución Mexicana
• Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
• Posadas Navideñas, Navidad,
  Día de los Reyes

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