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

One of the traditions and customs of Durango is the grape fair. This is a festival that takes place in the last weeks of July in the Gómez Palacio municipality. Also, in this state the apple fair takes place.

Durango's gastronomy is another of its traditions. The typical dishes of this area include pork loin with maguey honey, drunk hen, venison roast, caldillo with potatoes and the famous Duranguense caldillo (which is one of the most representative dishes of the state).

Similarly, Durango is recognized for the production of cheeses, among which the Mennonite cheese and ranchero cheese stand out.

Other traditions of the state are the Day of the Dead, the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Carnival, Holy Week, Christmas, New Years, the Day of the Dead and the Day of the Holy Innocents.

Main traditions and customs of Durango

1- Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Durango is characterized by the use of red meat (from cattle raised in the area) and fish meat (from the rivers and lakes of the state).

The traditional dishes of the area are the following:

• Pork tenderloin with maguey honey, a bittersweet dish that is prepared with roasted pork fillets with maguey sauce.
• Caldillo Duranguense, which is a steak soup seasoned with garlic, tomato, onions, and hot chili peppers.
• Caldillo con papas, which is a thin soup with potatoes and spices.
• Potted beef head, beef head stew.
• Venison roast, which is prepared with venison, salami, ham and nuts.
• Venorio, which is prepared with pork ribs, nopales, pumpkin sauce and hot chilies.
• Drunken chicken, which is a chicken cooked in peanut or hazelnut sauce.

The state of Durango is famous for its jams and canned fruits, such as quince paste, peach jam, among others. Another of the typical sweets of the region is the mostachón (nuts wrapped in caramel).

On the other hand, Durango cheeses are nationally recognized. These include:

• Chihuahua cheese, also called Duranguense Mennonite cheese.
• Ranchero cheese.

The best-known beverages in Durango are grape liqueur and quince liqueur.

2- grape fair

During the last weeks of July, the grape and wine fair is held in the Gómez Palacio de Durango municipality. This is one of the most recognized festivals in the state.

In these weeks, amusement parks are installed, artistic presentations are made (dances, concerts, among others) and gastronomic fairs are held.

The center of the celebration is the grape, which is why dishes and drinks based on this fruit (liquors, sweets, among others) are presented.

3- Virgin of Guadalupe

The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico. This is the reason why parties are held nationwide from December 9 to 12.

In Durango, the festivities in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe include processions, parades, pastorelas (kinds of plays with religious motifs), masses and liturgies. In addition to this, concerts, contests, dances and gastronomic fairs are organized.

3- Saint Joseph's Day

Saint Joseph's Day is celebrated on March 19. This is a religious festival, so they organize masses and processions.

In addition to this, tourist attractions are installed, such as popular markets, amusement parks, rodeos and traditional music concerts.

4- apple fair

The apple fair is similar to the grape fair, but it takes place in Canátlan. This fair lasts for one week.

This week, the town of Canátlan comes alive with amusement parks, fireworks, traditional dances, apple-based food stands, among others.

It is common to find stalls that offer apple wine, apple pies, caramel apples, among others.

5- Carnival

The carnival takes place between February and March, the days before Ash Wednesday. This party is celebrated with costumes, dances and parades. In some cities of Durango, there is a competition to choose the "queen of carnivals."

In addition to this, the population can enjoy rodeos, amusement parks, markets and gastronomic fairs.

6- Easter

Easter is one of the most important religious celebrations in the state. During the week, there are processions and dramatizations that aim to relive the passion of Christ before his crucifixion and celebrate his resurrection.

In addition to the processions, markets are organized where handicrafts related to the week of the week and gastronomic fairs with typical products of the region are sold.

7- Christmas

On December 25 the birth of the baby Jesus is celebrated. The celebrations begin at 12 in the morning of the 25th, with a mass being held. Afterwards, people celebrate at home with family and friends.

8- Day of the Holy Innocents

The day of the innocent saints is celebrated on December 28. On this date, the massacre committed by King Herod after the birth of the baby Jesus is remembered.

Herod, hearing that a “king” had been born, feared for the stability of his position and had all the newborn children of Bethlehem murdered. However, he could not murder Jesus.

In Durango, jokes are played on the day of the holy innocents. People who have believed the jokes are told "innocent little dove, that you were fooled."

9- New Years Eve and New Years

On December 31, the old year says goodbye and prepares to receive the new year. In Durango, as well as in other parts of Mexico, 12 grapes are eaten that represent 12 wishes or goals that they want to achieve in the new year.

10- Day of the Dead

The day of the dead is celebrated on November 2. People visit cemeteries and spend the day celebrating in honor of loved ones who have passed away.

References

1. Religion and expressive culture. Retrieved on August 31, 2017, from everyculture.com.
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3. Durango. Retrieved on August 31, 2017, from beta.visitmexico.com.
4. Holidays and traditions in Mexico. Retrieved on August 31, 2017, from traveltips.usatoday.com.
5. Traditional foods of Durango. Retrieved on August 31, 2017, from backyardnature.net.
6. The food of Durango. Retrieved on August 31, 2017, from mexconnect.com.
7. State of Durango. Retrieved on August 31, 2017, from visitmexico.com.
8. Gastronomy of Durango. Retrieved on August 31, 2017, from asiesmimexico.mx.