THE 10 MOST POPULAR TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS OF CHIAPAS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The traditions and customs of Chiapas show that it is one of the regions of Mexico in which the aboriginal influence is greatest. This can be observed in gastronomy, in which the use of corn and potatoes (ingredients widely used by ancient indigenous communities) abounds.

Likewise, some typical dances of the region are of pre-Hispanic origin, such as Tongoetzé, Yomoetzé and Nicté. In the same way, the region shows cultural elements coming from the populations that were introduced during the colonial period: the African and the European. African roots can be seen in the use of the marimba.

On the other hand, the European influence can be observed in religion. Many of the festivities in the Chiapas region have a religious character.

Celebrations are held in honor of the saints (such as the feast of San Cristóbal and the parade of saints), in honor of the dedications of the Virgin Mary (such as the day of Candelaria and the festivities of Our Lady of Guadalupe), among other.

Outstanding traditions and customs of Chiapas

1- Gastronomy

The most notable characteristics of the gastronomy of Chiapas are:

• Influence of aboriginal cultures in the selection and treatment of ingredients.
• Culturally, gastronomy is located within the framework of Guatemalan cuisine before that of Mexican cuisine.
• Use of hot chili in less quantity than in others in the country.

The traditional dishes of the Chiapas region are the nigüijute (which is prepared with pork), the pictes (which are sweet corn tamales) and the stewed chicken in fruits (which is a chicken marinated in garlic, onion, cinnamon, vinegar and tomatoes).

Among the typical sweets of the region, stand out the sweet potato (sweet sweet potato with orange), the cocada (which is made with coconut, egg and sugar).

Finally, the most important drinks are the cocoa well (which is a kind of corn-based chicha to which bitter cocoa is added) and the tascalate (with roasted cocoa beans and achiote).

2- Easter

During Holy Week (Easter), processions commemorating the passion of Christ are held throughout Mexico.

The processions of San Juan Chamula, Chiapa state, are notable. These are characterized by their color.

3- Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico. Therefore, throughout the country there are celebrations between December 9 and 12 in honor of the Virgin.

This religious festival commemorates the encounters between a man (Diego) and the invocation of the Virgin Mary, which took place in December 1531.

Thousands of Mexican aborigines are believed to have converted to Catholicism after these encounters.

The parishioners (both Mexican and from other countries) make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City to observe the image of the Virgin Mary, which is preserved in the place.

4- Feast of San Cristóbal

The feast of San Cristóbal is celebrated with greater zeal in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas. It unfolds in the second week of July and lasts for 10 days.

This festival is characterized by its colorful parades in which a display of fireworks, dances, marimba bands and other traditions of the Chiapas region is presented.

Like any other festivity, it is accompanied by samples of the department's gastronomy.

5- Candlemas Day

The day of the Virgin of Candelaria is celebrated nationwide on February 2. In Chiapas, the celebrations on this day are translated into dances, processions, parades and bullfights.

Often, the festivities of the Virgin of Candelaria converge with the carnival in Chiapas. In this region, the aboriginal carnivals stand out.

6- Fiesta de los Parachicos

The Parachicos festival is celebrated on January 6 of each year in Chiapa de Corzo. During this festivity, dances, parades, representations of naval confrontations are carried out and fireworks are launched.

Also, in this party the dance of the Parachicos is performed, which is traditional in the Chiapas region.

7- Parade of the Saints

The parade of the Saints in the city of Zinacantán is one of the most outstanding. During this parade, the statues of the saints that are in the churches are taken out and strolled through the streets. The object is for the saints to observe the state of the world.

The people of the city do their best to show the Saints that the world is a peaceful and happy place.

For this reason, during the procession dances and other representations are carried out or fireworks are launched, among others.

8- The marimba

The most recognized musical instrument in the state of Chiapas is the marimba. This instrument is of African origin and was introduced thanks to the slaves brought to America during the colonial era.

It was in the twentieth century that the marimba became popular in the Chiapas region, thanks to the Marimbístico Quartet of the Gómez Brothers (composers of “Las chiapanecas”, a distinctive song of the region).

9- Typical costume

One of the most representative costumes of the Chiapas region is the wide skirt dress, full of flowers of different colors, sewn with silk threads.

It is necessary to emphasize that the typical costume can vary from one area to another. However, they all have in common the use of cheerful and bright colors and elegance.

10- Dances

It is considered that the dances of Chiapas can be divided into three categories: those of pre-Hispanic origin, those of mestizo origin and those of the colonial era.

During local festivities, you can see different dances, such as the Rascapetate, the Torito, the Chapanecas, the Carnival dance, the Tongoetzé, the Piri, the Cachito, the Nicté, the Marucha, the Dance of the Parachicos, the Aclaraban, the Yomoetzé, among others.

References

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5. Chiapas. Retrieved on August 29, 2017, from wikipedia.org.
6. Traditional foods of Chiapas. Retrieved on August 29, 2017, from backyardnature.net.
7. Chiapas Regional Dances. Retrieved on August 29, 2017, from travelbymexico.com.