CHIAPAS CULTURE: MOST OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The culture of Chiapas differs from other Mexican cultures by the fact that it is the one with the greatest aboriginal roots. For example, religious beliefs in the region attest that indigenous groups have largely preserved their traditions.

Proof of this are the worship of ancestral gods such as the Sun and the Moon, and dances to promote agriculture, such as the dance of corn.

Likewise, in the gastronomy the influence of the aborigines is seen with the use of corn, squash, potatoes and other typical crops of the area.

Like the culture of the other states of Mexico, that of Chiapas reveals the influence of the Spanish who came into contact with the Mexican aborigines during the Conquest.

An example of this is the presence of Catholic festivities, such as the day of Candelaria, Holy Week and the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

You may also be interested in the traditions of Chiapas or its typical foods.

The 5 main cultural elements of Chiapas

1- Gastronomy

Chiapas gastronomy is characterized by indigenous influence. The ingredients used are very varied, since the territory is made up of tropical plains and mountainous areas.

Culturally, the cuisine of this state is related more to Guatemala than to Mexico itself.

The most common drinks in Chiapas are pozol de cacao and tascalate. The tascalate is made with roasted corn and cocoa beans.

For its part, pozol is made with young corn kernels, which are boiled to form a dough that is lowered with water until the desired consistency is obtained. Then cinnamon, sugar and cocoa powder are added.

Among the typical dishes of Chiapas are:

Pictes

They are tamales made with fresh corn.

The sparkle

It is a meat and vegetable stew.

Chicken stew in fruits

It is prepared with chicken marinated in garlic, tomatoes, cinnamon, onion and vinegar.

The ningüijute

It is a sauce made with pork meat.

The baked pig

It is prepared with a young pig, herbs and onions.

Sweet potato with orange

It is a treat that is made with sweet potatoes and orange juice.

The cocada

Its main ingredients are coconut, egg and sugar. You can add milk and other fruits, such as pineapple.

The ham

It is made with crushed pumpkin seeds, peanuts, and walnuts. This flour is mixed with milk and sugar.

2- Traditional festivals

Parachicos

The parties "for the boy", better known as "parachicos", are celebrations that take place in the second week of January.

The festival lasts for a week, in which processions are held, rockets are launched and dances are organized.

Candlemas day

Candlemas Day is celebrated on February 2 of each year. During this day there are processions, bullfights and parades. It is part of the tradition that families share a tamales dinner.

In Mexico, the festivities in honor of the Virgen de la Candelaria are considered the closing of the Christmas celebrations.

Holy Week

Holy Week is celebrated forty days after Ash Wednesday. During these seven days there are processions that relive the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.

In Chiapas, the celebrations that take place in San Juan Chamula, Zinacatán and San Cristóbal stand out.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Day

The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico. For this reason, throughout the country its appearance is celebrated on December 12 of each year.

In Chiapas, the festivities that take place in San Cristóbal de las Casas stand out, where religious aspects are syncretized with aboriginal aspects.

3- Crafts

The state of Chiapas is recognized for its handicrafts, made of wood, clay and natural fibers.

In different areas of the state, flutes, wooden toys, baskets, hammocks, skirts, woolen jackets, woven bags, leather bags, clay dolls, vases and necklaces are made with clay or polished seed beads.

4- Dances

In Chiapas, dances and dances are always related to festivities.

Some of the dances have a symbolic character: they represent scenes of hunts, fights between animals, the resistance of the aborigines before the Spanish forces during the Conquest, among other themes.

Other typical dances are the «yomo etze», which is a women's dance; the «mote 'xu», which is a dance dedicated to the cultivation of corn; and the Malinche dance, dedicated to the aboriginal woman who collaborated with Cortés during the Conquest.

5- Religion

The official religion of Chiapas is Catholicism. However, there are various aboriginal groups that still retain part of their ancestral beliefs.

Although each tribe has a certain religion, there are elements that are common to all, such as the existence of an animal spirit.

This animal represents the attitude of the person. For example, if it is a bird, this may mean that the person is an entrepreneur.

These groups practice witchcraft and traditional medicine, which are considered part of the religion.

Each tribe consists of a healer who is not only responsible for maintaining the physical integrity of the people, but also the spiritual.

The Choles, members of an aboriginal tribe, consider that the caves are sacred, since they were inhabited by the spirits that controlled rain, wind, storms and other natural phenomena.

The lancadones, another tribe, feed the gods with pozol, the drink made from corn. The head of the family is in charge of carrying out this ritual.

Many aboriginal groups have mixed their own beliefs with Catholic beliefs. For example, many worship the Virgin Mary and Jesus, while acknowledging the supremacy of their own gods such as the Sun and the Moon.

References

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5. Chiapas with Traditions Mexico. Retrieved on November 6, 2017, from intltravelnews.com
6. Culture of Chiapas. Retrieved on November 6, 2017, from explorandomexico.com
7. Mexico: People and Tradition in Chiapas. Retrieved on November 6, 2017, from caroun.com
8. Traditional Foods of Chiapas. Retrieved on November 6, 2017, from backyardnature.net