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

One of the most renowned traditions and customs of Puebla is May 5. On this date, the victory of the Mexican army over the French forces that wanted to invade the state is commemorated. It is celebrated throughout the region with parades.

Other traditions of Puebla are religious in nature. Such is the case of the following festivals: Holy Week, the day of San Antonio Abad, the day of the Virgin of the Assumption and the festivities of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Puebla, Mexico

On the other hand, many of the festivals in this region reveal the importance that the inhabitants of Puebla give to agricultural activities.

Some examples of this are the apple festival (where the cultivation of this fruit is celebrated), the corn week (where farmers are paid homage) and the day of San Antonio Abad (where the animals and seeds are blessed).

Outstanding traditions and customs of Puebla

1- Gastronomy

Puebla's gastronomy is one of the most varied in the country. In the arid areas of the state, the influence of Spanish cuisine is observed. For its part, in the mountainous areas the cuisine of Puebla is strongly influenced by aboriginal groups.

Some of the typical dishes of Puebla are:

• Pork barbecue.
• Chalupas, which are corn tortillas with high edges so that they can be filled. Cheese, sauteed vegetables, and hot sauce are usually added.
• Chiles en nogada, which are chiles filled with meat. Walnut sauce is added.
• Mole poblano, which is a sauce made from different types of chili peppers. Other ingredients are included, such as peanuts, sesame and anise seeds, onion, garlic, tomato, cinnamon, wheat bread, corn tortillas, raisins, salt, and sugar.
• Molotes, which are corn and cheese tortillas filled with meat, vegetables or sauce.
• The traditional sweets of Puebla are:
• Cocada, which is made with coconut, egg whites, milk, and wine.
• Jamoncillo, a sweet made from pumpkin seeds, milk and sugar.

The most representative drinks of the state are:

• Acachú, cherry liqueur.
• Chumiate, fruit liqueur.
• Nevado, a drink that mixes whiskey with fruits.

2- Paper Balloon Party

The foil balloon festival takes place in the month of November. During this party, people make paper balloons that will be released at night. This show is accompanied by dances and concerts of popular music.

3- Apple Fair

The apple fair coincides with the celebrations in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption (between the first weeks of August). This is because this invocation is the patron saint of fruit growers.

The center of this fair is the apple, which is why hundreds of apple-based dishes are presented: wines, ciders, cakes, pies, caramel apples, among others.

4-5 May

May 5 is one of the most important dates not only for Puebla but also for Mexico. On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army defeated the French army, which was trying to invade the state.

Throughout Puebla, parades are held to commemorate the Mexican victory. In some areas, dramatizations of the battle of 1862 are also made.

5- Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead is one of the most striking traditions in Mexico, which is celebrated from October 31 to November 2. Huaquechula is one of the cities of Puebla that gives greater importance to the festivities for the Day of the Dead.

During these three days, the city of Huaquechula is decorated with altars of flowers, food and crafts in honor of the deceased. Skulls and skeletons are made of sugar, which adorn the doors of the houses.

As in other parts of Mexico, the inhabitants of Puebla visit cemeteries during these festivals and bring traditional food from the Day of the Dead (pan de muerto, egg salad, pumpkin tamales), as well as the favorite dishes of the deceased person.

6- Carnival

The carnival is celebrated between the month of February and the month of March. In Puebla, the celebrations vary from one area to another.

In some regions where the aboriginal influence is strong, the Juan Carnaval is burned. This is a purifying ritual.

In other areas, the tradition that women cannot dance at carnival is maintained. For this reason, men dress up in feminine outfits and dance through the streets.

7- Easter

Holy week begins with the blessing of the palms (which takes place on Palm Sunday). Processions and masses are held throughout the week. The celebration closes with Resurrection Sunday.

8- San Antonio Abad Day

On January 17, the day of San Antonio Abad is celebrated. Because this saint is the protector of animals, people bring their animals and their harvest to churches to be blessed.

For this reason, this festival is also known as the "day of the blessing of animals and seeds."

9- Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

The festivities for the Virgin of Guadalupe are held between December 9 and 12. Masses, cultural events and fairs are held.

10- The Week of the Cult of Corn

During the first weeks of December, the cult of corn takes place in Puebla, a festival that lasts for seven days.

In this festival, the production of corn is celebrated (which is one of the most important crops in the country) and the farmers who work hard in the fields are honored so that other members of the population can enjoy this cereal.

Gastronomic fairs are held, in which hundreds of corn-based dishes can be enjoyed (tamales, tortillas, mazamorra, among others).

Also, cultural presentations are made (dances and concerts of ranchera music).

References

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5. Traditions of Mexico. Retrieved on September 1, from houstonculture.org
6. All about Puebla. Traditions. Retrieved on September 1, from puebla-mexico.com
7. Puebla, Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Retrieved on September 1, from luxuriousmexico.com.