CULTURE OF GUANAJUATO: MOST OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The culture of Guanajuato is one of the Mexican cultures in which the influence of Catholicism is most observed. In fact, many of the holidays in this state are directly related to the Catholic Church.

Some examples of this are the celebrations that take place during Holy Week, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the day of the Virgin of Dolores and the day of San Ignacio de Loyola.

It should be noted that in recent years the presence of other religions in addition to the Catholic one has been evidenced in the state, among which Christian religions such as Evangelicals, Asian religions such as Buddhism and spiritualists such as Santeria stand out.

The traditions of Guanajuato show the aboriginal roots. This is evidenced in some dances, such as the dance of the paloteros.

The indigenous influence is also appreciated in the gastronomy, in which tamales and beet water stand out, among other dishes.

You may also be interested in the traditions of Guanajuato or its legends and myths.

The 4 main cultural manifestations of Guanajuato

1- Gastronomy

The state of Guanajuato is located between two mountain formations. The valleys that cover this territory are very fertile, so it is possible to find a great variety of agricultural products.

Besides this, Guanajuato is known for the production of dairy products and their derivatives. All this makes the gastronomy of this state very rich and varied.

The best known beverages in the state are beet water, which is beet juice, and strawberry liqueur.

The best known dishes of this state are:

The San Miguel de Allende style cold meat

It is a sausage that is eaten cold and is prepared in the town that gives it its name.

The nopalitos

They are the fruit of cacti. These are served with potatoes, boiled eggs, tomato, hot peppers, oregano, and shrimp.

Lamprey frog legs

To prepare this dish, the limbs of the frogs are cooked in a tomato sauce and wine.

The ham

It is a dessert that is prepared with peanuts, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and other dried fruits. All of this is mixed with milk and sugar.

The charamusca

Dessert made with white or brown sugar, grated coconut, and peanuts. The sugar is mixed with water and heated until a molasses is formed.

Then the fruits are added and it is kneaded and twisted until cool.

2- Parties

Among the most important festivals in the state, the following stand out:

Friday of the Virgin of Dolores

The Virgin of Dolores, patron saint of miners, is honored on the Friday before Easter. Both in the houses of Guanajuato and in the mines of the state altars are made in honor of this virgin.

During this day it is customary to make flower arrangements and give them to women, friends or family.

Holy Week

Holy Week is celebrated between March and April; its date depends on the festive calendar of the Catholic Church.

Guanajuato being one of the most Catholic states in Mexico, the celebrations around Holy Week are of great importance.

Masses and processions are held throughout the week in which the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus are represented. It is also customary to visit seven temples on Holy Thursday.

Day of the taking of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas

On September 28 the taking of Alhóndiga is celebrated. During this day the confrontation of 1810 between the Spanish and the Mexican insurgents is commemorated, which were led by Father Miguel Hidalgo.

This confrontation was one of those that started the war for the independence of Mexico.

In Guanajuato there is a civic-military parade, in which students from state schools and the armed forces participate.

International Cervantino Festival

The International Cervantino Festival has been held in Guanajuato since 1972 and lasts for one month. It was named in honor of Miguel Cervantes de Saavedra.

In this festival there are book fairs, theatrical presentations, lectures with Mexican and international authors, among other activities.

Ferie de Alfeñique

The Alfeñique Fair is held between the last week of October and the first of November. Various desserts are sold at this fair.

As the date coincides with the celebration of the Day of the Dead, allusive sweets are sold, such as sugar skulls and bread of the dead.

Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

The celebration in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe takes place on December 12. This Marian invocation is the patron saint of Mexico, so this holiday is of great importance.

3- Dances

The most popular dances in Guanajuato are the following:

Dance of the bull

The dance of the bull is a tradition from the colonial era. This dance represents a scene that takes place on a farm: a bull escapes and begins to threaten the plantation workers.

The farmer tries to catch it without obtaining favorable results. This is when other characters are added to the dance.

The dancers are a man dressed as a bull, the farmer, a charro, a drunk, a hunchback, the devil and death.

Dance of the paloteros

The dance of the paloteros is a tradition of the aboriginal groups of Guanajuato.

The dancers make offerings to the gods, especially the Sun and the Moon, in order for them to intervene favorably in agriculture, gathering and other areas of aboriginal life.

The dancers are men dressed in shorts who perform slow and delicate movements, as if it were a martial art.

4- Religion

Guanajuato is considered one of the most Catholic states in Mexico. However, surveys conducted in recent years by the Institute of Statistics of Mexico show that 200,000 Guanajuato people belong to a religion other than Catholicism, and that 72,000 are atheists.

Of the 200,000 non-Catholic believers, 180,000 belong to Christian churches, such as Orthodox, Adventists, Evangelicals, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Protestant churches.

The remaining 20,000 belong to different religions, among which Judaism, Islam, Spiritism and Buddhism stand out.

References

1. Culture in Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from visitmexico.com.mx
2. Culture of Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from explorandomexico.com
3. Famous Festivals and Celebrations in Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from donquijote.org
4. Festivals and Traditions. Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from visitguanajuato.com.mx
5. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from visitmexico.com
6. Guanajuato, Mexico. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from sunofmexico.com
7. Guanajuato, Mexico. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from ruelsa.com
8. Traditional Foods of Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 7, 2017, from backyardnature.net