10 CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF COAHUILA (MEXICO) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Among the most important customs and traditions of Coahuila (Mexico) are its varied dances, its artisan tradition and its gastronomy. Coahuila is one of the border states and territories with the United States of America that makes up the United States of Mexico. Its meaning is "serpent that flies."

This State has various attractions that make this territory a tourist and cultural destination for the world. It has forests, large cities, towns and deserts that make your visit unforgettable.

View of the Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol in Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico, at the intersection of Carranza with Hidalgo, during the parade on September 16, Mexico's Independence Day.

The State of Coahuila is characterized because its color and folklore is very particular and special. Its inhabitants perform traditional dances brought from their ancestors, parties, make local handicrafts, prepare typical foods…

They also have the presence of important groups of indigenous people who maintain their particular way of life despite the passage of time. You may also be interested in learning about the customs and traditions of Chihuahua (Mexico).

List of typical customs and traditions in Coahuila (Mexico)

1- Dance of the lechuguilla

Image recovered from Come and meet Coahuila.

Considered one of the most important dances in this region and that had its beginning in the Ixtlera territory. Those who carved the lechuguilla showed their joy with soft footsteps, similar to the matlachines.

They are very similar to the Tlaxcala dancers with the only difference that during the performance of the dance of the lechuguilla, the actions that the peasant performs when he cuts and carves the pulla from which he takes the ixtle are revealed.

2- Kikapoo dances

Made by the Kikapoo tribe, a tribe that inhabits the north of the State and whose inhabitants are characterized by their dances, an expression that attracts attention in an important way and that they perform before natural manifestations and during dates such as the New Year or the anniversary celebration of their arrival on this earth.

This tribe performs dances such as the chueca, the coyote, the forty-nine, the soldier and the couples dance, among others. These dances are in charge of livening up the meetings of the Coahuila people.

3- Dance of the water eye

This dance was brought to the state of Coahuila in 1591 by the Tlaxcalans and is performed in different places that were colonized by them.

4- Pateño syrup

Dance whose origin lies in the puddle of tulillo. It is performed by cheerful peasants during harvest-gathering celebrations.

It receives the name of syrup pateño, since its primitive inhabitants were the Indians "patchos".

5- Contradanza of Arteaga

This is a dance that came to the town of Arteaga, in the south of the state of Coahuila, thanks to the Europeans who came to the territory in order to cultivate the vine and industrialize turpentine.

It is a dance that caused great curiosity in the local aristocracy and later to its inhabitants, who were in charge of granting it special details during its performance.

6- Festival of the sweet and the nut

Among its traditional festivities, the Sweet and Nut Festival stands out, a celebration held during the first days of November, when the most important confectioners in Parras meet and share in the same space nut, grape and box.

Likewise, the grape and wine festivals are highlighted, whose organization is paid by Casa Madero and which are celebrated during the month of August.

7- Festivities of San Andrés

Each year, on November 30, the Catholic community of this State has by tradition and custom honor its patron saint Saint Andrew the Apostle.

For this, a popular festival is held that includes an artistic festival, various dances, sale of Mexican snacks and fireworks.

With this celebration come the festivities of San Andrés, which begin during the last week of November and extend until the first days of December. At these parties, it is common to see mechanical attractions and sales of typical snacks.

8- Crafts

The population of Coahuila stands out for the production of the saltillo serape. It consists of a garment that is woven with wool and various colors.

This tradition is a custom that came to Coahuila through the indigenous Tlaxcalans. The textile fibers of candlelight and saddlery also stand out.

9- Gastronomy

As for gastronomy, the predominant factor is tortillas rich in flour and wheat, from the Middle East but which are very well received by the people of Coahuila.

The goat also stands out, which can be grilled or fried, after making a stew in its blood and viscera, as well as dried meat and meat roasted over charcoal.

With dried meat it is very common to see preparations such as crushed egg, made with dried meat from Múzquiz. Likewise, it is very common to see a significant presence of Parras de la Fuente wines and Mexican liquors.

Pulpe bread also stands out, an ingredient that is used to ferment the dough instead of yeast and that is prepared with other ingredients, among which the piloncillo, the jam, the nut and the sugarmeg stand out.

In regions like Piedras Negras, it is very important to highlight the invention of nachos, a food that is known worldwide today and is characteristic of Mexican culture.

Gastronomically, tamales, picadillo and enchiladas also stand out. The typical sweets are the campechanas and the quince rolls, the milk sweets, covered in pumpkin or the fruit ates, which are a very strong tradition in regions like Saltillo. Among the drinks, coffee, chocolate, fruit punch and champurrado stand out.

10- The Kikapúes

Image recovered from Proceso.

The state of Coahuila has the presence of the Kikapú, indigenous people who inhabit this territory since 1852 and who are originally from Wisconsin. Its traditions and customs include the exchange of skins for food, the sale of chili peppers or the trade in handicrafts.

For the construction of their homes, they perform a special ceremony prior to construction and are faithful to the belief of assembling it with virgin materials.

In addition, they keep the custom of not eating on the eastern side of their home, since they consider that this space belongs to the spirits. They also have certain prohibitions to be carried out inside the home, such as brushing their hair or shaving.

Politically they are organized under the orders of a chief or captain, who has civil but also religious power. In this tribe it is striking that being overweight and long hair are synonymous with beauty in women.

References

1. Unknown Mexico. Monograph of the State of Cohauila. México (2017) Recovered from mexicodesconocido.com.mx.
2. Crafts, gastronomy and traditions of Coahuila. Coahuila, the north star, Mexico. (2011). Recovered from coahuilaestrelladelnorte.blogspot.com.co.
3. Holidays and traditions. Recovered from www.coahuilaespanol.weebly.com.