Mexican Culture Research Paper

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." was said by Marcus Garvey. Some observers may criticize the fact that Mexican American History is taught at the greater academic level, however a more diverse curriculum is fundamental in developing an awareness for racism; the recognition of potential self-subjugation through lack of education; and the basic obligation to keep students cognizant of a world beyond themselves. Mexican American History as well as the histories of other cultures/countries should be taught in the classroom for the sake of cultivating a broader

All over the world there are many features that make up a culture. Culture can be defined as the characteristics, attitudes, knowledge and beliefs of a group of people, relating to language, cuisine, religion, interaction, lifestyle, and more which is learned through socialization. These aspects of cultures are what distinguishes it from others. It is interesting to explore and learn about new cultures. I will be focusing on the Mexican culture, their religion, death, family life, weddings and ….

It is a known fact that every human being communicates through language, but perhaps a little known fact that we communicate even through the food we eat. We communicate through food all the meanings that we assign and attribute to our culture, and consequently to our identity as well. Food is not only nourishment for our bodies, but a symbol of where we come from. In order to understand the basic function of food as a necessity not only for our survival, we must look to politics, power, identity, and culture.

In our society today, culture is not what it used to be hundreds of years ago. There is no more “pure” culture. Our culture today is enriched with many different traditions and customs that are being shared and adopted. Due to emigration and immigration, a variety of diverse customs, beliefs, and knowledge moved with every exiting and entering human being. Thus, changing and shaping the culture of many. Throughout the world, the beliefs and religious views of culture are dissimilar around the world. By taking the time to read, listen and learn about certain people’s culture, there will be knowledge and understanding that will be gained.

A misperception of the global community is that countries are comprised of a single culture. In this compartmentalized worldview, a country has the same food, ideas, and traditions as if our national borders are the only aspect to define us. However, Mexico is far from a homogenized culture or identity; there is a myriad of differences within present day Mexico and the Mexican-American Community. In Chicago, the Westside neighborhood of Pilsen showcases the rich diversity of Mexican culture. Pilsen has changed hands as many immigrants thrived in its streets throughout the century and is now predominantly Latino/Mexican. The small neighborhood’s vibrant culture is encapsulated in the brilliantly colored painted murals featured on many building,

Mexican culture dates far back as the 13th century. This is when the Aztecs were prevalent in northern mexico. Aztecs were a people who were all about war and honor. They made many enemies going to war with smaller tribes and brutally killed their enemies. In the 16th century the Aztecs Empire crumbled due to the invasion led by Hernan Cortez. Disease, superior weapons, and aid of the Aztec’s enemies were all contributing factors to the Aztecs downfall. Fast forward September 16th 1810 when Mexico gained its independence from Spain Mexico's identity started to develop. Mexican culture is defined by many things, its food, its language, its clothing, its art. However, There is one aspect that defines Mexican culture and that is family life. Mexicans have a very rich family life that defines the culture. The way that family is organized and the way each member acts can be traced back to the very beginning. It's a mixture of the indigenous peoples culture as well as the Spaniards culture. The indigenous peoples pass on their ideas of honor and machismo and the Spaniards pass on their ideas of catholicism, and family value and structure. I fit into this because I grew up on these ideas and my family still practices some of these ideas today.

The methods of both hunting and gathering of the Cahuilla Indians are spectacular since most people consider a desert region to be inhospitable. Yet the Cahuilla had an abundance of food by implementing different methods to acquire food. Using both hunting and gathering techniques they were able to successfully plan their life’s out in order to live. They had great organizational and planning skills which were the major reason they were able to live in such a desolate place. Their

Should the US have all of Texas and California or should we not have them? The US went to war with Mexico in 1846. In this war the US wanted to have the Manifest Destiny come true, so the US fought over land which is now called Texas. After the war had been fought over Texas, the US had a little later had attempted to take more land. In which, they were successful and now we call the land they fought for part of California. The US was right for going to war with Mexico for three reasons, Manifest Destiny, there was a vote on it, and Mexico attacked first.

Mexican Americans were decedents of Mexico, or “Estados Unidos Mexicanos” as their culture would say. Mexico is bordered by the “United States to the north, the Gulf of Mexico to the east, Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea to the southeast, and the Pacific to the south and west” (Englekirk & Marin, 2014). In this area, the population consist of 75 million people between these locations. According to Englekirk and Marin (2014) Mexico’s earliest occupants were hunters from Asia. Prior to the 16th century civilizations such as Mayan, Aztec, Toltec, and more, built societies amongst themselves in these areas. In 1951 Hernan Cortes conquered this area, thus establishing Mexico and their culture. Three groups were mixed to form

The Navajo, also known as the Diné, are one of the largest Native American Tribes in the world. Their culture is made up of very distinct and unique characteristics that have been passed down from generation to generation. They have been taught to adapt to their surroundings and to the land. Each moral, standard, belief and value are what make the Navajo so unique to the Native Americans. In the following, their primary mode of subsistence, kinship system, beliefs, values, and economic organizations will be briefly examined to gain a better knowledge of the Navajo culture.

Over time, the Pueblo People have developed new techniques for building a village in the Woods Canyon Pueblo. They were an advanced society, who lived in a perfect place. They had water close by water and rich soil for farming. The Pueblo people used the natural resources of the canyon to create tools for hunting and for making food. The Woods Canyon also gave them protection. I think the reason Pueblo people chose to live here, was because of the protection Pueblo people were provided from the cliffs.

Mexico is a populous country with more than 120 million people ("Mexico Guide"). 60 percent of the population is mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish), 30 percent is Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, and 10 percent is white and other ("Mexico Guide"). According to the article, "Mexican Culture: Customs & Traditions," Spanish is spoken by the majority, with 92.7 percent of the Mexican population (Zimmermann). This is the result of Spain colonized Mexico during the 16th and 17th centuries. Before that, Mexicans used the Maya and Aztec languages, which explains why some small Mexican groups today still speak indigenous languages, such as Mayan, Nahuatl and other regional languages (Zimmermann).

In this period Pueblo Indians populated the areas of the Mesa Verde region, but Archeologists Identify they existed in the mountain ranges, mesa tops, and canyons, from the rock shelters and rock art they built, and left facts. By the late Ancient more people were living in permanent rock shelters that preserved goods such as sandals, mats and baskets. They made wide range of twig figurines that commonly was similar to deer or sheep. The late Ancient is marked by elevated trade in unique products such as obsidian and turquoise. Rock art excelled, and people lived in basic houses made of mud and wood. Their early efforts at plant domestication gradually expanded into the farming at end of the Ancient

The Pueblo Indians had very diverse communities in their time. Pueblo history is made up of six periods. “The periods and their approximate dates are Late Basketmaker II (ad 100-500), Basketmaker III (500-750), Pueblo I (750-950), Pueblo II (950- 1150), Pueblo III (1150- 1300), and Pueblo IV (1300-1600)” (“Ancestral Pueblo

The Navajo Indians emulated the pueblo. The shed their animal skin clothing for cotton and learned quickly how to farm. These people settled in between the Rio Grande and the Grand Canyon. They herded sheep and grew corn in the valleys. They were a peaceful group of people, and were one with their surroundings.