CULTURE OF VERACRUZ: TRADITIONS, FESTIVALS AND MANIFESTATIONS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The culture of Veracruz is a melting pot of customs and practices, one so different from the other, thanks to the fact that it was for more than 400 years the main entrance to Mexico for the world and because it has a strong Spanish, French, Caribbean and foreign influence. African.

Veracruz culture is represented through diverse artistic and social manifestations. The state of Veracruz is located in the south-central zone of Mexico. It is bordered to the north by Tamaulipas; and to the east with Puebla, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí. Its entire eastern strip borders the Gulf of Mexico, with 650 kilometers of coastline.

Papantla Flyers

It is an area with diverse natural resources and with climates so diverse that they go from the tropical jungles to the snow-capped mountains. In addition, Veracruz is the highest point in all of Mexico: the Pico de Orizaba, an active volcano.

In addition to its natural diversity, Veracruz has a great demographic variety. It was the place of settlement of important pre-Columbian cultures such as the Olmec, the Huasteca and the Totonac. The first Spanish colony in North America was also founded there.

It is home to the Port of Veracruz, the largest and oldest in Mexico. This makes the area a platform for the fusion of innumerable cultures, traditions, languages ​​and religions that make Veracruz a bastion of diversity where the new is mixed with the old and the original with the foreign.

The culture of Veracruz

Art in pre-Hispanic times

The pre-Columbian cultures of the now state of Veracruz were skilled in sculpture.

Olmec people

Of the Olmec people, the colossal heads stand out, sculptural figures of spherical shape that are thought to represent their warriors. These can measure up to 4 meters and weigh more than 40 tons.

Those who study the Olmecs highlight the impressiveness of these figures: they were made of basalt, a heavy material that they had to transport for long distances, which they moved by means of rafts.

These sculptures were buried; at present they are shown in various anthropology museums and in La Venta park, in Tabasco.

Totonaca village

In the Totonac culture, artistic production consisted of representing gods and warriors by means of ceramic figures and stone sculptures.

In addition, its architecture is one of the most outstanding in Mesoamerica, since it is believed that they were responsible for the construction of the Tajín, the great pre-Columbian city.

Ceremonies

Papantla Flyers

The dance of the flyers is a traditional ceremony in central Mexico adopted by the Totonac people. Currently it is known as Papantla flyers who carry it out and come from the town of Papantla in Veracruz. The dance originated as a request to the gods to end the droughts.

In this ceremony, four dancers and a priest climb a 30-meter pole. The dancers line up at each cardinal point - which they represent - and the priest stands at the top, who is in charge of singing a melody with a flute and a drum.

After greeting the four cardinal points, the men let themselves fall supported only by a rope, completing exactly 13 turns before reaching the ground. This ceremony has been named Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Music and dance

They are jarocho

The distinctive sound of Veracruz comes from the jarocha harp, an adaptation of the traditional harp introduced by the Spanish after their arrival.

This is the centerpiece of the son jarocho, a folk music style based on strings: requintos, jaranas and the lioness. The most popular son jarocho is La Bamba.

Folk dance

Accompanying this rhythm is the Veracruz folk dance. For this zapateado dance, the women wear a long white dress with a black cloak embroidered at the waist.

On their heads, the women wear flowers and a brooch. The men wear white pants, shirt and hat, around the neck they wear a red scarf.

Beliefs

Catemaco Witchcraft

Despite having an 82% Catholic population, witchcraft rituals are carried out in Veracruz, especially in the Catemaco area. It is a long indigenous tradition that was strengthened after attempts by the Spanish to evangelize the population.

Over time, these practices were influenced by Santeria and Voodoo. At present, Catemaco witchcraft is respected as an ancient tradition focused on strengthening man's bond with nature.

Gastronomy

Traditional Veracruz cuisine is the result of a strong Spanish influence, seasoned with the tropical ingredients that abound in the area.

There is also a touch of East African cuisine in it; all these flavors entered through the port, thus changing the local cuisine.

Among the essential ingredients of Veracruz food are citrus fruits and shrimp, both abundant in the region. Black beans, yucca flower, the use of vanilla and jalapeño peppers are also characteristic of its gastronomy.

The mixture of flavors is usually with a citrus or sweet touch, the chicken is accompanied with peanut butter and the food flavored with garlic and chili. However, the Veracruz specialty is its seafood, with dishes based on snails, tilapia or crab.

Language

Although the vast majority of the Veracruz population speaks Spanish, the state has a 12% indigenous population and more than 600,000 speakers of some native language. These are the Totonac, the Huasteco and the Popoluca, among others.

Since the Conquest, indigenous communities have gradually suffered a decline in their languages. At first, the European friars learned them in order to convert them to Catholicism.

Today the indigenous communities are bilingual; however, these languages ​​lose speakers over time due to the lack of diffusion and preservation.

Festivities

Carnival

The central festival of the state of Veracruz is its carnival, a celebration carried out during the nine days prior to Ash Wednesday. A parade takes over the streets of the city with floats and costumed dancers.

The event begins with the burning of Bad Mood. Later, the carnival becomes a continuous festival of folklore, music, danzones and a celebration of the European, African and Caribbean influence of the port.

Coffee fair

In the city of Coatepec, from the end of April to the beginning of May, the Coffee Fair has been held for 70 years.

During these weeks, visitors have the opportunity to meet and taste the great variety of coffee that is harvested in the state. In addition to the exhibition, traditional dances are held and a craft show is mounted.

Themes of interest

Traditions and customs of Veracruz.

Natural resources of Veracruz.

Legends of Veracruz.

Popular dances of Veracruz.

Crafts from Veracruz.

Drinks from Veracruz.

Archaeological zones of Veracruz.

Typical drinks of Veracruz.

References

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2. Diehl, R. (2000) The Precolumbian Cultures of the Gulf Coast. The Cambridge History of the Native People of the Americas Volume II: Mesoamerica. Part 1. Cambridge Press.
3. Discovery Mexico (sf) Papantla Flyers. Discovery Mexico. Recovered from Discoverymexico.com
4. Encyclopaedia Britannica (sf) Veracruz. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Recovered from Britannica.com
5. Graber, K. (2006) The Cuisine of Veracruz: a tasty blend of cultures. Mexconnect: Mexico Cuisine. Recovered from Mexconnect.com
6. Gonzales, A. (sf) Totonaca Culture: Universal History. Cultural History. Recovered from Historiacultural.com
7. Unknown Mexico (nd) Catemaco: where the witches live. Unknown Mexico. Recovered from Mexicodesconocido.com
8. Vallarta Lifestyles (2017) Mexico's Folk Dances: Costumes and Features. Vallarta Lifestyles. Recovered from Vallartalifestyles.com