- Patron Saint Festivities and other religious festivities
- Festivities
- Traditional music and dances
- Typical gastronomy in the culture of Durango
- References
The culture of Durango is highly influenced by its religious traditions. Despite the fact that the population of this Mexican state is scarce, it remains very active throughout the year in terms of festivities related to religion and other reasons.
In this sense, it is a territory that remains faithful to its customs, many of which date back to colonial times or earlier (in the case of the original tribes).
Durango
On the other hand, this region is known as the Land of Cinema due to the number of movies that have been filmed there.
In fact, this tradition began in the 1960s, when John Wayne came to the colonial city of Durango to shoot seven westerns.
You may also be interested in the traditions and customs of Durango or its most popular legends.
Patron Saint Festivities and other religious festivities
The patron saint festivities are deeply rooted in the culture of Durango, especially in the highlands region.
In large part, this is due to the evangelization work carried out in that state by two religious orders: the Franciscans and the Jesuits.
In the 16th century, these managed to amalgamate American aspects and Spanish contributions that, ultimately, would form the current character of Duranguenses.
Some of these include celebrations in honor of the patron saints of Naza (Nuestra Señora Santa Ana), Peñón Blanco (San Diego), San José de Bacís (San José), Súchil (La Purísima Concepción) and Tepehuanes (Santa Catarina).
It is very common for these celebrations to carry out fairs with fireworks, typical dances and music.
In addition, among other religious festivities is the Lord of Mapimí. It is a pilgrimage to Cuencamé of entire families in carts that culminates on August 6 with a fair.
On the other hand, following the Marian tradition, the day of Nuestra Señora de la Merced (in Santa María del Oro), the Virgen de los Remedios (San Juan del Río, Nuestra Señora del Refugio (in the capital) and, for Of course, every December 12, the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Festivities
In addition to religious festivities, the culture of Durango includes other celebrations.
One of the largest is held to commemorate the founding of the city on July 8, 1563 by the Spanish explorer Francisco de lbarra.
This festival begins several days before and continues until the festival of the Virgen del Refugio on July 22.
Similarly, Duranguenses celebrate the regional fairs of Gómez Palacio during the month of July in the semi-desert region.
In the first days of September they attend the Apple Fair in Canatlán, while in October they enjoy the Walnut Fair in San Juan del Río.
Traditional music and dances
Music and dances are an important part of the culture of Durango. For example, the mitote is an ancestral ritual dance from southern Tepehuan and other tribes of the Sierra Madre Occidental.
In this dance, men and women jump in a counterclockwise circle, five circuits in one direction and then five in the other. Meanwhile, a shaman accompanies with native songs, assisted by a musical bow on a resonator made of pumpkin.
The mestizo heritage is also present. In this way, the popular musical tradition includes the polka genre, whose popularity throughout northern Mexico dates from the time of the Revolution.
In some places, the chotis and the cuadrilla, both of European origin, still dance. Also, one of the most popular forms of song and dance is the corrido, a type of ballad that generally praises the exploits of revolutionary heroes or tells stories of love.
Typical gastronomy in the culture of Durango
In the gastronomic area, the culture of Durango is distinguished mainly by its desserts. It is even customary to give children bags or candy baskets at baptisms and birthdays.
Fruits such as quince, peach, guava and others are the protagonists of many of the typical sweets.
Among them, the famous ates stand out, which consist of a kind of jam that is cut into slices and served alone or with cheese.
References
- Durango. (s / f). In Go Gringo. Retrieved on November 3, 2017, from gogringo.com.
- Gallegos Caballero, JI (s / f). Evangelization in Durango. In UANL Digital Collection. Retrieved on November 3, 2017, from cdigital.dgb.uanl.mx.
- Chairez, A. (2001, March). Unknown Mexico Guide No. 67 / Durango.
- Encyclopedia of the Municipalities and Delegations of Mexico. (1988). Durango state. Retrieved on November 3, 2017, from siglo.inafed.gob.mx.
- Rodríguez Lozano, F. (2011, January). The route of El Señor de Mapimí: tradition of the 18th century. In the Chronicle of Chihuahua. Retrieved on November 3, 2017, from cronicadechihuahua.com.
- Fisher, J.; Jacobs, D. and Keeling, S. (2013). The Rough Guide to Mexico. London: Penguin.
- Prokosh, G. (2014). Drama, Dance and Music, En, M. Nash (editor), Handbook of Middle American Indians. Texas: University of Texas Press.
- Standish, P. (2009). The States of Mexico: A Reference Guide to History and Culture. Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group.
- Nieto, B. (1997). Traditional Mexican cuisine. Mexico DF: Selector.
- Jinich, P. (2013). Pati's Mexican Table: The Secrets of Real Mexican Home Cooking. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.