12 TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS OF HIDALGO (MEXICO) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The traditions and customs of Hidalgo are an amalgamation between the legacy of the Mexican aborigines and the elements brought by the Spanish during the conquest. Some of the festivals show the aboriginal influence. For example, the contest "Canto a Mi Tierra Otomí", which is held in Santiago de Anaya on the occasion of the Fiesta del Señor Santiago.

Other festivals show the influence of the Spanish. Such is the case of all celebrations that are religious and Christian in nature, since it was the Spanish who evangelized in Mexico.

Some examples of these religious festivities are Holy Week, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the feast of San José, the feast of San Francisco de Asís and the feast of the Virgin of the Assumption.

On the other hand, from October 31 to November 2, celebrations are held for All Saints 'Day and All Souls' Day.

Traditions and customs of the Hidalgo region

1- Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Hidalgo shows both the indigenous influence and the Spanish influence. Classic Spanish cuisine predominates in the highlands, while Aboriginal cuisine abounds in the more mountainous areas.

Some of the typical dishes of the region are:

• Tamales, which are corn dough buns with various fillings. Some examples of tamales are pitamales (filled with sweet corn), aniseed tamales, cheese tamales with epazote, bean tamales, and pork tamales.
• Zacahuil, which is a large tamale (one meter or more in length). This tamale is filled with pork, turkey, or chicken meat, seasoned with hot peppers, garlic, and onions. Zacahuil is baked in banana leaves.
• Maguey worms, which are larvae that infest the maguey tree. These larvae come in two types: chinicuiles and meocuiles.

The former are available between September and October, and are eaten in sauce or fried with onions and green chilies. The meocuiles appear in mid-May and are used as a filling for the tacos.

The most popular sweets in the region are:

• Trompada, which is a caramel made from brown sugar, coconut and peanuts.
• Palanqueta that, like the trompada, is prepared with brown sugar. Roasted corn, walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds are added to this molasses.
• Pulque bread, which is an orange-flavored bread.

2- Day of the Dead

In the state of Hidalgo, the day of the dead is known as Xantolo. This party begins on October 31 and ends on November 2.

As in other Mexican towns, the Day of the Dead in Hidalgo is celebrated with altars and offerings. However, each city adds variations to the celebration.

For example, in Jaltocan the first two days of the festivities are celebrated by dressing up and dancing from house to house. At the end of the dance, the dancers are invited to the houses for dinner. On November 2, the celebration closes with a band of brass instruments that plays in the cemeteries of the area.

In Zempoala, on November 1 and 2, floral and fruit arrangements are made, which are placed on the tombstones of the cemeteries. Likewise, the favorite dishes of the deceased are prepared.

In Huejutla de Reyes, the tradition is to create food and flower altars, which are dedicated to the deceased.

3- Easter

In Hidalgo, Holy Week is celebrated with dramatizations of the passion of Christ. It should be noted that the celebration may vary from one city to another.

For example, in Acatlan, the dramatization is done exclusively by young people. In Metztitlán, a fair is organized where there are games, dances and concerts.

In Huichapan, it is common to see pilgrims from various parts of the country. Apan, pulque-based dishes are prepared, such as pulque bread and cured pulque (alcoholic beverage).

4- Feast of Mr. Santiago

This is a celebration that begins at the end of July. During the first days of the feast of Señor Santiago, dances are held, fireworks are launched and religious celebrations are held.

To close the celebration, a queen is chosen, who parades through the streets of Santiago de Anaya. That same day, the musical festival "Canto a Mi Tierra Otomí" takes place. During this festival, participants sing original compositions accompanied by indigenous instruments.

The next day, the Ayate contest is held. In this, artisans compete to make the best ayate.

5- Fruit fair

The fruit fair takes place in different cities of Hidalgo. However, the most outstanding is that of Tecozautla. This festival begins the third week of July and lasts for seven days.

During this week, exhibitions of typical fruits of the region are organized. This exhibition is accompanied by dances, concerts, game fairs and fireworks.

6- Carnival

The carnival is celebrated between February and March. During these dates, parades are organized and people dress up.

One of the most outstanding carnivals is that of Tenango de Doria, also known as the Otomí Carnival. In this area, the costumes are typical costumes of the Otomi peoples. In the same way, traditional Otomí food fairs are organized.

7- Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

This celebration takes place on October 4. During this day, pilgrims come to Tepeji del Río Ocampo to participate in the festivities.

8- Feast of the Immaculate Conception

This party takes place on December 8. Not only are religious masses and rituals organized in honor of the Virgin, but also gastronomic fairs, mariachi concerts and dances are held.

9- Feast of the Virgin of the Assumption

The Feast of the Assumption takes place in mid-August.

10- Feast of San José

The festival of San José takes place between March 19 and 21. Religious celebrations are accompanied by food and craft fairs.

11- Crafts

The state also offers a wide variety of artisan products, manufactured mainly by the Nith community in the form of precious wood crafts: giant cane objects from Cruz Blanca and beautiful artisan creations made of islet, wool and wood in the Mezquital valley..

12- Moxuleua

The many rural towns around the state still practice some of the indigenous celebrations of the pre-Hispanic era.

One of them is called Moxoleua, which essentially means the "Uncovering of the Disguised", a festival that takes place in December in the city of Tecolitla.

The celebration begins on December 26 at night and consists of the participants getting rid of their costumes and all the evil attributed to them during the celebration of the day of the dead, Xantolo, during the previous month.

Thus the dancers, following catchy rhythms and sounds, discover their faces as a symbol of their liberation from evil, all this in the presence of a large crowd who celebrate the gift of purification.

References

1. The Fiestas, Customs, and Traditions of Hidalgo. Retrieved on August 30, 2017, from asiesmimexico.com.
2. The Cuisine of Hidalgo. Retrieved on August 30, 2017, from mexconnect.com.
3. Gentleman. Retrieved on August 30, 2017, from wikipedia.org.
4. Fairs in Hidalgo, Mexico. Retrieved on August 30, 2017, from donquijote.org.
5. Traditional Food of Hidalgo. Retrieved on August 30, 2017, from backyardnature.com.
6. Mexico States: Hidalgo. Retrieved on August 30, 2017, from explorandomexico.com.
7. Three Levels of Culture (Hidalgo). Retrieved on August 30, 2017, from prezi.com.