CULTURE OF SINALOA: MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The culture of Sinaloa is framed in its indigenous roots. Although the arrival of the Spanish transformed Mexican society, many aspects of the ancestors of the natives survive in modern life in this state.

This territory has a soil rich in natural resources: it has coasts, valleys and mountains. There is a part of the Sierra Madre, beaches and semi-desert areas. All its geography has served as a witness to the large number of typical traditions.

Most of the culture of this region is based on its ancient indigenous culture. Their traditions originated in festivals that are celebrated annually, although they also have an important history of crafts and music.

Cultural events and festivals are held in honor of local saints and cultivation. Its cuisine is known for its stews and soups.

Sinaloa is home to the Mayans. The most popular regions of this state include Mochicahui, El Fuerte, Ahome, Choix, Mazatlán, Sinaloa de Leyva and Rosario.

You may also be interested in the history of Sinaloa.

The 10 main cultural manifestations of Sinaloa

Mazatlan carnival

For more than 100 years, the third largest carnival in the world has been one of the most anticipated cultural events in the city.

For almost a week the streets are flooded by the sound of the batteries that accompany the floats and the people in disguise.

Musical bands, guest artists and almost a million spectators gather along the 11 kilometers of the Malecón. This whole area is filled with colored papers during the celebration.

Every year there are cultural activities, performances and the coronation of the Carnival Kings. There are also prizes for literature, painting, the winner of the Floral Games, poetry and humor.

Tambora de Sinaloa (Sinaloan band)

This type of music is influenced by a group of German businessmen who lived in Sinaloa during the 19th century.

They wanted to incorporate new wind instruments into traditional bands, so they gave the local musicians sheet music of Prussian songs, including polkas and marches.

These local groups began to sound different from the traditional bands in the rest of the country. The twentieth century tambora from Sinaloa was the precursor of what is currently known as grupera music, heard throughout Mexico.

Bands perform in open-air celebrations, similar to military bands of yesteryear. Its particular Sinaloan sound comes from the contrast between the wood and metal instruments; one of its greatest attractions is that it has danceable rhythms.

Ulama

It is the Mesoamerican ball game and it is the oldest team sport in the world. It was practiced by the Pre-Columbian cultures of Central America and was played for almost a millennium before the establishment of the First Olympic Games in Greece.

It is a brutal game that moves quickly and is often accompanied by a religious ritual. In ancient times, players lost their lives and human sacrifices were common.

From ancient times until the Spanish Conquest this sport was not a game, it was part of the culture of the Olmecs, Mayas and Aztecs.

Today this game is still very popular in Sinaloa and is an intrinsic part of the culture of this state.

Chilorio

This traditional Mexican dish has its origins in Sinaloa and is enjoyed in northern Mexico. Usually this dish consists of fried pig (pork), although sometimes chicken or beef is used, in a dehydrated chili sauce.

This dish is made by cooking the meat in water and fat, then frying it in chilies and in different species.

Due to the ingredients used (especially when vinegar is included), it can be stored in the refrigerator for a few weeks. The vinegar also helps make the chili peppers lighter.

Chilorio can be found in almost all stores and supermarkets in Sinaloa, although it is still very popular to cook it at home to add the spices to the consumer's taste.

spring Festival

It is mainly celebrated in the Concordia region, specifically in the towns of Concepción and Rosario, during the months of April and May. These festivities last more than a week.

During this festival various games are held and the queen of the festival is crowned. During the Spring Festival there are fun family activities; there are also parades and marching bands perform.

This festival has its origins in Mayan-Yoreme rituals, in which the solar elements that signified the arrival of spring were celebrated.

Bullfights

Mazatlán has the culture of holding bullfights in the Plaza de Toros Monumental. The season in which this activity takes place begins in December and ends in April; they occur every Sunday and on national days.

Bullfighting began in the town squares and is a practice that dates back to the 18th century. It involves a particular sequence of events: the entrance of the bull, the picador, the banderilleros, and the matador.

Sinaloa Arts Fair

It emerged with the intention of promoting and facilitating culture in the Sinaloan population. Cultural activities take place in the streets, squares and theaters.

It is held during October and November and a variety of activities are enjoyed, from outdoor shows to open squares. It is also possible to appreciate activities in theaters, such as the Angela Peralta Theater.

Its objective is to spread and improve the culture of Sinaloa with the support of the State and other institutions.

Deer Dance

It is a Yaqui dance native to Sonora and Sinaloa. During this dance, a dramatic deer hunt is represented to honor the natural world and the white-tailed deer, which meet the needs of the Yaqui.

It is one of the most popular Mexican dances today. As the Yaqui fought the Spanish to keep their lands and culture intact, the deer dance has no European influences and has not changed over the centuries.

Sailor's day

This day is celebrated on July 1. In the ports of Topolobampo, Altata, Reforma, Teacapán and Mazatlán, cultural celebrations are held in the ports.

The idea is to celebrate the sailors and fishermen who work in this region.

El Fuerte Crafts Fair

This happens in November. Sinaloa is known for the culture of the Yoreme indigenous people, in which their crafts stand out. Most of the crafts at this fair are made by this culture.

This fair celebrates the elaboration of woven baskets, the elaboration of handmade furniture, the weaving of palms, the creation of clay figures and textiles.

In the celebration of this fair there are also dances and artistic and cultural shows.

References

1. Traditions and customs of Sinaloa (2017). Recovered from lifepersona.com
2. Sinaloan band. Recovered from oxfordmusiconline.com
3. Traditions in Mazatlan. Recovered from mazatlan.com.mx
4. Band (music). Recovered from wikipedia.org
5. Mazatlan carnival. Recovered from travelbymexico.com
6. Ulama (2015). Recovered from ancient-origins.net
7. Culture of Sinaloa. Recovered from explorandomexico.com
8. Chilorio (2016). Recovered from thespruce.com
9. Festivals and traditions in Mexico Sinaloa. Recovered from backpackz0.blogspot.com
10. Yaqui deer dance (The deer). Recovered from aztcfiredance.com