7 TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS OF TAMAULIPAS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Tamaulipas is located in the extreme northeast of the Mexican territory, with the Rio Grande as the border with the United States. Its name derives from the Huasteco, and means "place where people pray a lot."

With miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico, the physiognomy of its landscape is contrasting. From wide plains, to high mountains, passing through springs, caves and also, desert.

Its capital is Ciudad Victoria, although its most populated city is Reynosa. Other important cities are Tampico, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros and Aldama. One of its oldest activities is cattle ranching and cotton cultivation.

The past and the present are linked in the customs and traditions of the people of Tamaulipas. The flavors of its gastronomy are particular. Clothing, traditional dances, crafts and music are also part of its cultural heritage.

The Tamaulipas people proudly preserve their traditions and customs, which are passed down from generation to generation.

Tamaulipas traditions

Day of the Dead

Its origin dates back to pre-Hispanic times. The indigenous people who populated Tamaulipas at that time, the Chichimecas, used to make human sacrifices.

Then they scattered their ashes around temples and homes, to keep the dead and their god happy.

Xantolo celebration

It takes place from October 31 to November 2. In every home there is an arch altar made with flowers, and in the center a photo of a deceased relative and an image of a saint.

On plates, on a table, cookies, sugar skulls, fruits, drinks or the deceased's favorite dish.

October 31 is dedicated to the deceased children, and the offerings vary to chocolate and bread, broth or food without spices.

On November 1, the deceased adults are received with beer, brandy and more elaborate dishes with spices, and tobacco leaves.

On November 2, early in the morning, the offering is taken to the cemetery, and at noon the Xantolo Celebration ends until the following year.

Agricultural and Livestock Fair and Exhibition

It takes place in the month of March of every year, in Ciudad Mier. Copies of the different races are exhibited, and at the same time, bullfights, horse races and the exhibition of regional products.

Tamaulipas Fair Expo

It is celebrated in November in Ciudad Victoria. The exhibition reaches the industry, livestock, agriculture and crafts.

The entertainment is in charge of national and international artists, typical dances and charreadas.

Celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe

This celebration takes place on December 12 in the City Altamira

Carnival of the Port of Tampico

It takes place forty days before Easter. With parades, dances and musical acts. Election of the queen, floats and costumes.

Custom

Pillory

The traditional music is the "picota", accompanied by its typical dance to the sound of the drum and the clarinet.

Formerly, inmates were exposed to public shame, in a high pole or column, this being the origin of the word, making the drum and clarinet sound. In this dance, both men and women usually dance barefoot.

Polka, redova and chotís

In the border area, the polka, redova and chotís, inherited from European immigrants, are more traditional. The rhythms were assimilated by the Tamaulipas adopting them as their own.

Huapango

In the Huasteca area, the music that plays is the huapango, to dance, sing, tell anecdotes, or simply make fun of someone with humor.

Violin, jarana and guitar come together with the voice of the troubadour and the delights of excellent poetry.

Gastronomy

Gastronomy occupies a prominent place in Tamaulipas, given its livestock tradition and its maritime coastline.

Tampiqueña roast meat, pork roast, shepherd kid, stuffed gorditas, pork tamales, baked kid, among the meats.

Seafood soups, cebiches, stuffed crabs, crab salpicón, shrimp huatape, prawns in broth, among the seafood.

As desserts, the cornmeal or pemole donuts, the sweet potato with pineapple, the cocada with pineapple and walnut, pumpkin in a brown sugar patch stand out.

The traditional drinks are mezcal and Huapilla water.

References

1. The celebration of the day of the dead in the Huasteca. Taken from ucsj.edu.mx
2. Traditional Festivities and Typical Foods of Tamaulipas. November 24, 2012. Taken from nadia4everlike.blogspot.com.ar
3. Day of the Dead in Tamaulipas. Taken from sites.google.com
4. Music, Dance, Dance and Dress. Taken from tamaulipas.gob.mx
5. The Sun of Tampico. Taken from elsoldetampico.com.mx
6. Traditions and customs. Taken from tamaulipas.gob.mx.