BAJA CALIFORNIA CULTURE: HIGHLIGHTS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The culture of Baja California has been influenced by the customs and traditions inherited from its ancestors, by the miscegenation product of the colonization and very particularly by its proximity to the United States.

The Mexican entity has a population of more than 3 million inhabitants. These include Mexicans, Americans, Asians, and Europeans, who are mostly concentrated in Mexicali and Tijuana, their most populated cities.

Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT)

The population diversity characteristic of the area has resulted in a peculiar culture in which the Mexican predominates, but in a different way from the rest of the country.

This state of marked contrasts has large cities and small towns, which translates into an interesting mix between the modern and the native, palpable in its cultural activity.

You may also be interested in the typical traditions of Baja California or its history.

The 5 main cultural manifestations of Baja California

1- Traditional festivals and popular celebrations

In most of the towns of the state, traditional religious festivals such as Carnival, Easter, Christmas and New Year are held.

In Ensenada the International Fish and Seafood Fair, the International Jazz Festival and the sighting of the gray whale take place.

In Tijuana the events Entijuanarte, Baja California Culinary Fest and the Tijuana Fair are celebrated.

In Valle de Guadalupe the Harvest Festivities are famous. And in Mexicali the Fiestas del Sol, the Cotton Fair and the Wheat Fair are celebrated.

2- Dances and typical dances

The dance expressions of Baja California accompany both the religious and secular celebrations of its inhabitants.

Among their traditional dances are:

- The dances of Cucapá.

- The dances of matachines.

- The dance gangs of Tecate.

- The Calabaceado dance.

3- Art

Art in its different expressions is one of the greatest strengths of Baja California culture. Tijuana, for example, is a territory that stands out for the number of artists it has.

Many of his works are exhibited in the Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT) and in the El Cubo museum, two of the most important cultural centers in Mexico.

In the field of music, the musical collective Nortec is a group widely spread throughout the state.

It consists of the result of the fusion of traditional Mexican sounds, such as the northern rhythms and the jarabe tapatío, with the techno-dance sounds.

4- Gastronomy

Within its vast gastronomic wealth, Baja California is recognized for the exquisiteness of its sea food given its coastal location.

The traditional fish tacos, seafood paella and lobster are dishes prepared in a wide variety of ways.

A tradition welcomed mainly in Mexicali is Chinese food, due to an important community that settled long ago in the municipality.

In terms of international food, the entity has great roots. It is worth noting that the Caesar salad, the clamato and the margaritas are recipes that were created in Baja California.

5- Crafts

Baja California's popular art is the living expression of its indigenous heritage. Within the wide range of creations of the region, the ceremonial vessels with two mouths, the baskets and the willow leaf dolls made by the Pai-Pai are recognized.

Of the Kumiai heritage, the works carved out of stone in alabaster and the wooden sculptures in manzanita root stand out.

Of the cucapás stand out the wooden toys, the pectorals of beads and beads and the skirts of Willow bark.

References

1. Baja California: Diversity, Emotion and Cross-Border Culture. Retrieved on November 15, 2017 from: ara.com.mx
2. Conaculta. (sf). Baja California North. Retrieved on November 15, 2017 from: cultura.gob.mx
3. Baja California culture. Retrieved on November 15, 2017 from: explorandomexico.com.mx
4. Our state. Traditions. (sf). Retrieved on November 15, 2017 from: bajacalifornia.gob.mx
5. Baja California. (November 15, 2017). In: es.wikipedia.org