THE 7 MOST OUTSTANDING TRADITIONS OF THE STATE OF MEXICO - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The main festivities and traditions of the State of Mexico are the Festival of Souls, the Festival of the Fifth Sun, Las Posadas, Santiago Apóstol Festival, San Isidro Labrador Walk and Fair, the International Horse Fair and the Walnut Fair. The State of Mexico is the most populated state in the United Mexican States.

In this state, diversity of tastes, colors, music and customs converge everywhere. According to the census carried out in 2015, 16,187,608 people lived in the State of Mexico, which at the time represented 13.54% of the total population of the country.

Feast of Souls

The confluence of so many people in the State of Mexico makes the cultural proliferation and the practice of dozens of traditions and customs typical of each of the 125 municipalities that comprise it inevitable.

The development of fairs, patron saint festivals, folk dances and other traditions, obeys the vast popular roots of Mexico.

Main traditions

October - November: Festival of Souls

The Festival of Souls is the most important festival in the entire State of Mexico. In this, national and international artists converge to give the best samples of talent on stage.

The big festival takes place in the municipality of Valle de Bravo, designated as a Magic Town thanks to its beautiful landscapes and infrastructure. However, the Regional Centers of Culture display the tradition of the Day of the Dead in different venues throughout the State of Mexico.

It is a great cultural festival, lasting approximately a week, in which both the Day of the Saints (November 1) and the Day of the Dead (November 2) are celebrated.

There the most diverse cultural expressions are shown: dance, crafts, music, painting, literature and cinema, among other artistic manifestations.

March: Festival of the Fifth Sun

The Fifth Sun Festival takes place during the spring equinox and solstice each year.

This festival has been held since 1987 and its main objective is to enhance indigenous culture, its rituals, astrological interpretations and traditions in general, with an emphasis on the indigenous communities of Mexico.

It is a tribute to the Mexican indigenous ancestors, in the archaeological zones administered by the Secretary of Culture of the State of Mexico.

The places selected to carry out the Fifth Sun Festival are the following: Tlalpizáhuac, San Miguel Ixtapan, Huamango and Teotenango.

The Fifth Sun Festival brings together expert researchers, chroniclers, teachers and artists of various genres, all with the purpose of exalting indigenous culture.

December 16: Las Posadas

Oral tradition indicates that the Mexican posadas were born in the municipality of Acolman. Hence the importance of Las Posadas in the State of Mexico.

The Mexican Posadas are held from December 16 to February 2. During this period, the children of each town or municipality come together in groups and tour the town.

Subsequently, a group asks to be received at the house where another group is meeting, and so on. The posadas arise between music, games and laughter.

One of the most representative activities is to break a piñata with your eyes covered. The piñata is a clay or clay container filled with goodies, which represents abundance and divine grace.

July 25: Feast of Santiago Apóstol

This festival takes place in the municipality of Ayapango and corresponds to one of the most important patron saint festivals in the State of Mexico.

In the Santiago Apóstol Festival, typical dances of the region are performed, such as the dance of the twelve pairs of France, the dance of the Chinelos or the dance of the Moors and Christians.

The dances are represented in the streets of Ayapango with the style of banda. That is, the musicians parade dancing to the rhythm of wind instruments and bringing the festive atmosphere to all the homes of the municipality.

In the Santiago Apóstol Festival, the typical clothing of the area is used, which consists of a toga or tunic decorated with religious motifs, and hats that are also embroidered or decorated with mirrors.

May - June: Walk and Fair of San Isidro Labrador

The San Isidro Labrador Fair takes place in the municipality of Metepec, and begins exactly 52 days after Good Friday. This implies that the celebration takes place between the months of May and / or June.

This famous fair takes place between pompously decorated floats that move through the streets of Metepec, to honor the figure of San Isidro Labrador at all times.

An iconic part of this fair consists of the presentation of the Modesta Fernández National Pottery Award. With this award the artisan work of the most outstanding artists from all over Mexico is rewarded.

March - April: International Horse Fair

The International Horse Fair is held in the Texcoco municipality during Holy Week. Consequently, it has a variable date that oscillates between the months of March and April of each year.

As its name indicates, the great protagonist of this fair is the equestrian activity. There are exhibitions of horses of different breeds, but the most prominent breed is the Aztec breed.

In addition, there are bullfights, street theater, wrestling events, gastronomic fairs and the staging of artists of the moment.

July - August: Walnut Fair

The Walnut Fair takes place in the municipality of Amacameca, either in the month of July or in August.

Its purpose is to promote the commercial use of the walnut of Castilla, one of the most demanded nuts in all of Mexico.

The focus of this fair is to highlight gastronomy, specifically confectionery and ice cream parlor, in addition to promoting the sale of artisanal sweets and liquors.

In addition, within the framework of the Walnut Fair they also enact various sports, cultural and artistic activities.

References

1. Festival of Souls (nd). Government of the State of Mexico. Recovered from: patrimonioyserviciosc.edomex.gob.mx
2. Fifth Sun Festival (2017). Mexican Culture Information System. Recovered from: sic.cultura.gob.mx
3. Festival of the Fifth Sun (nd). Government of the State of Mexico. Recovered from: patrimonioyserviciosc.edomex.gob.mx
4. Festivities of the State of Mexico (sf). Government of the State of Mexico. Recovered from: edomex.gob.mx
5. Holidays in the state of Mexico (nd). Recovered from: elclima.com.mx
6. Traditions and customs of the State of Mexico (2010). Recovered from: uri-28stac.blogspot.com
7. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2018). Mexico state. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org