PUEBLA CULTURE: MOST RELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The culture of Puebla, Mexico, has been cultivated and manifested since ancient times. Citizens have balanced traditional aboriginal ceremonies with the beliefs brought by the Spanish during the Conquest.

Puebla has a high cultural value; It was designated as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1987.

Today the state of Puebla is the fourth most populated in Mexico, and its festivities and traditions extend from the capital city of Puebla to a dozen medium and small towns that make up the territory.

The festivities and cultural celebrations have made Puebla an important tourist spot in Mexico.

Although celebrations of national popularity are also held, Puebla has its own regional traditions, different from those of other Mexican states.

The 8 main cultural manifestations of Puebla

1- Chiles en Nogada

This gastronomic celebration is one of the most popular in Puebla. It has a long history since it has been celebrated since approximately 1821, and consists of the massive preparation of popular recipes.

These recipes have been passed down from generation to generation and use the freshest and most natural ingredients of the season. It is estimated that they are the best dishes in Puebla.

The origin of this tradition comes from the old colonial convents, specifically from the nuns of the Santa Clara convent.

The season for the preparation of these popular dishes is usually every year, from July to September.

2- Huey Atlixcáyotl, or Great Atlixca tradition

This popular traditional festival arises from the pre-Hispanic cultures that inhabited the territories of Puebla, and is held in honor of the god Quetzalcoátl.

It takes place every year in September, specifically on the last Sunday. The participants move to the Cerro de San Miguel, where the celebration takes place.

This consists of the manifestation of the traditional knowledge of several of the participating towns that have great historical wealth in Puebla.

These towns include La Cañada, the Sierra Norte, the Mixteca Poblana, the Tehuacán Valley, among others. During the celebration, a xochicíhuatl or flower woman and her little flowers are chosen.

3- Parade of the battle of Puebla

This is a historical festival, inspired by the victory of the Mexican forces over the French invaders in a military confrontation that took place on May 5, 1862.

Every year, when that May day arrives, the citizens of Puebla take to the streets and carry out a civic parade in which different institutions participate, such as schools and even the army itself.

It is a quite picturesque celebration, almost carnival, in which floats, marches on horseback are paraded and exhibited, and there is the presence of contemporary indigenous communities.

Part of the celebration takes place from the skies, with commemorative flights of Navy planes in honor of Ignacio Zaragoza, who defended the Mexican sovereignty of what was at that time the most powerful army in the world.

4- Spring equinox in Cholula

The celebration of this astronomical phenomenon takes place at the top of the Great Pyramid of Cholula.

There citizens and tourists meet and celebrate at the moment when the Sun is situated on the plane of the Earth's equator, and the night and the day have the same duration. It usually happens in the month of March.

The expectation and observation is accompanied by traditional dances and pre-Hispanic rituals at the top of the pyramid, as well as more modern accompaniments for the enjoyment of all audiences.

5- Cult of corn

Historically, the Puebla territories gained popularity due to their agricultural capacity, and the quality of their corn and wheat throughout the centuries.

Currently the municipality of Ixcaquixtla holds a celebration every year in which men and women work on the land, and the production of corn are worshiped.

It has a gastronomic conception, since during the festival there are tastings of multiple dishes based on corn, accompanied by parades, dances and youth presentations. It is usually held every year, during the first weeks of December.

6- apple fair

It is celebrated in Zacatlán, and is considered the most important festival in this town. It has a much more Catholic character than Aboriginal.

This is because the Virgin of the Assumption is worshiped, which protects and favors the fruit growers of the region. It is celebrated every year, starting on August 15.

During this celebration, a large variety of products derived from the apple harvest are made available to visitors and participants.

Dishes, drinks and sweets are offered. Other activities that surround this celebration are parades and the coronation of a queen of the town.

7- Balloon Festival

This popular festival takes place in the towns of Zongozotla and Tuzamapan, where its inhabitants make colorful balloons and lanterns every year from a unique material: china paper.

Once finished and exhibited, the balloons are launched into the air until they are lost in the skies of the Sierra Norte, while the residents celebrate with dances and demonstrations.

This celebration takes place in November. Each year the balloons become much larger and more picturesque than in previous editions.

8- Carnival

This celebration takes place nationwide. However, in Puebla there are distinctive elements in the execution of the activities of this tradition.

The inhabitants of Puebla have known how to give their national celebrations and festivities a unique character that distinguishes them from other Mexican states.

In the case of Carnival, the areas with the greatest aboriginal influence carry out particular acts, such as the burning of an image of Juan Carnaval. This is considered a purifying ritual.

References

1. Barbosa, MA (August 5, 2017). The Traditions of Puebla. Puebla, Puebla, Mexico.
2. Calderón, L. (May 23, 2016). Celebrations in Puebla. Obtained from I am Puebla: yosoypuebla.com
3. Council of Tourism Promotion of Mexico. (sf). Puebla. Obtained from Visit Mexico: visitmexico.com
4. Puebla, JM (2002). Culture, innovation and local development. AGE Bulletin, 229-244.