CULTURAL MISCEGENATION: CHARACTERISTICS, EXAMPLES, IN MEXICO, IN PERU - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The cultural mix corresponds to the exchange of traditions, behaviors and beliefs that takes place between individuals who have developed in different cultural contexts. This exchange can be generated through different practices, such as marital relationships and / or cohabitation, among others.

One of the most emblematic contexts for America in terms of cultural miscegenation was related to the arrival of the Spanish to this continent. From this first contact, an intense and abrupt process of cultural exchange was generated, which ended up defining the characteristics of today's societies.

The exchange of diverse cultures generates the birth of new cultural reality. Source: pixabay.com

In the current context, in which globalization is increasingly widespread, cultural miscegenation is very present in countries, which have more direct access to different cultural manifestations of societies that are very distant from each other, spatially and culturally.

Characteristics of cultural miscegenation

Involve at least two different cultures

In order for cultural miscegenation to be generated, at least two different cultures must be found. Thanks to the interrelation of the members of these cultures, it will be possible to generate a favorable context for miscegenation.

Interrelated cultures may have more or less elements in common. To the extent that coincidences are abundant, it is possible that the process of interbreeding is faster. However, in any case, cultural miscegenation may always arise -at least to some degree- when there is sustained interaction over time.

A new reality is created

The cultural baggage that is generated as a result of the interaction of different cultures corresponds to a new reality. It is a new culture that has its own characteristics and whose representatives feel as their own.

This was precisely what happened as a consequence of the cultural miscegenation caused by the interaction between Spaniards and Americans when the first encounter between both cultures was generated.

From this exchange, cultures with very particular characteristics emerged, with elements in common but with their own codes, traditions and forms of behavior that differentiate them from other cultural realities.

Involves traditions and cultural practices

As is inferred from the term, cultural miscegenation especially involves those aspects directly related to the cultural heritage of a society.

Within this heritage, folkloric manifestations such as gastronomy, the way of dressing, social conventions, musical traditions, language and other elements that constitute the cultural base of a society stand out.

Thanks to the interrelation of these elements from different cultures it is possible to give rise to a process of miscegenation.

It positively affects the cultivation of empathy

Cultural miscegenation implies a recognition of the other through the adoption, adaptation and execution of various cultural manifestations.

The fact of creating a new reality from other existing ones allows us to be aware that the cultural code that determines a specific society is fed by those other realities.

Cultural miscegenation gives rise to direct communication between different people and allows it to be generated in a context in which, ideally, more emphasis is placed on coincidences than on elements that conflict.

Examples of cultural miscegenation

Colonial times in America

Perhaps one of the most obvious examples of cultural miscegenation can be found in the colonial era, when the Spanish arrived on the American continent and gave rise to the birth of a new culture based on those that interrelated there.

This process had many negative elements; One of the most relevant was that the Spaniards imposed their own customs by force, so that it was not a fluid miscegenation and that it responded to the interests of both cultures, but rather an action of domination.

This implied that many indigenous civilizations extremely rich in terms of cultural elements disappeared; Entire societies that had their own codes had to submit to those imposed by the Spanish.

However, what happened later is that a new reality was generated that was neither completely Spanish nor completely native. As a consequence of the interrelation of the members of both cultures in different spheres, new cultures emerged with their own codes and defined characteristics.

Migrations as drivers of cultural miscegenation

Migrations are one of the main causes of cultural miscegenation processes. For example, as a consequence of the displacements of Chinese citizens that have occurred over the years, it is possible to find vestiges of this culture in practically any part of the world.

The same has happened more recently with Venezuelan citizens. This country has experienced a significant migratory wave in recent years and many of its inhabitants have settled in different countries around the world.

Both situations imply that the receiving societies of migrants also receive their cultural manifestations, which end up combining with the local ones so that a fluid adaptation can be generated without losing the essential elements of the culture of origin.

Cultural miscegenation in Mexico

The process of Mexican cultural miscegenation is indisputably related to the colonial era. One of the first elements that had great influence was the learning of the Castilian language, which in principle was only taught to people directly linked to the Spanish, members of the nobility.

The most predominant indigenous people of that time, the members of the Nahua tribe, continued to use their language and only used Spanish to refer to elements that they had just learned. This interrelation generated a first scenario of deep miscegenation.

Textiles

The Spanish introduced wool and cotton, which were incorporated by members of the different strata of Mexican society.

The local textile product was the maguey fiber, which little by little had less demand because the textile pieces made of cotton and wool were more durable and had better quality.

The incorporation of these textiles did not mean a total loss of the Mexicans' own dress codes, who maintained the use of sandals and, in the case of women, blouses adorned with flowers and long skirts.

Gastronomy

Another very characteristic element of cultural miscegenation is the gastronomy that was generated as a result of the exchange.

Corn was a primary food for the Mexican diet; From the cultural exchange, the Spanish began to incorporate this food as a fundamental part of their diet.

Corn

Likewise, wheat and meats from the European continent (such as pork and chickens) were incorporated into the diet of Mexicans. By mixing these elements with their own gastronomic customs, new proposals were generated that defined the current Mexican gastronomy.

Music

The most traditional music in Mexico has a mestizo origin. For example, the mariachis have an indigenous origin that evolved to the current musical groups with charro clothes and their characteristic hat.

In the case of the Banda de Sinaloa, the fusion of indigenous music with European or cumbia is more than evident. A similar case occurs with norteña music or marimba music.

Many of these genres are played with musical instruments such as the guitar, the drum, the flute or the castanets, all introduced by the Spanish.

Cultural miscegenation in Peru

In Peru there was a situation similar to that of Mexico, in that the Spanish imposed their cultures through force.

As we have said previously, this implied the disappearance of many cultural manifestations; however, there were many elements that remained, especially in areas related to culinary arts.

Gastronomy

Peruvian gastronomy is one of the most recognized and awarded in the world, and it is the result of an interesting intermingling process between Spanish, indigenous and African culinary traditions.

The Spanish introduced dairy products to America, which had not been consumed by the indigenous Peruvians. European meats also began to be consumed, which even generated typical Peruvian dishes that currently represent their idiosyncrasy; such is the case of the cau cau de tripe.

After independence, the gastronomy of Peru also obtained French, Asian and Italian influences

Nikkei kitchen

Nikkei refers to the emigrants who came from Japan to Peru in the late 19th century in search of work. What at first would be a temporary displacement, ended up becoming a fixed settlement. Today it is estimated that there are more than 150,000 direct descendants of those Japanese who arrived at the ports of Peru.

This has influenced so that in the South American country there are Buddhism temples, clothing designers and artisans with Asian influences or that there are Japanese press releases in some cities.

However, the most significant thing is how the Peruvian and Japanese gastronomy merged to give rise to the Nikkei cuisine. This fusion has taken on international significance and some of its best-known dishes are olive octopus, tiraditos or sushi flavored with lemon juice instead of soy.

Cultural miscegenation in Ecuador

The arrival of the Spanish in Ecuador also had important influences, not only European but also African and, of course, indigenous. One of the demonstrations that was most visible was the dress code.

In colonial times, sewing practices different from those customary in the region began to be adopted, and one of these was the generation of pleats and embroidery to decorate.

Both elements were key in the typical clothing of Ecuadorians, who complemented these elements with practices typical of their indigenous heritage, such as the manufacture of sandals or the use of feathers, which are more used towards the south of the country.

It is worth noting that Ecuador is one of the countries in America that has more faithfully maintained its indigenous roots. In this country there is a large indigenous population that maintains many of their customs, even when they have adapted their ways of life to the modern dynamics of society.

Marimba esmeraldeña

This recognizable musical genre is born from the African miscegenation in the province of Esmeraldas. It is characterized by the fact that a female voice sings accompanied by the guasá or maracas, while the men play the bass drum, the cununos or the marimba.

All the instruments mentioned above, except the marimba, are of African origin, which were introduced by the first black populations arriving from Africa.

Cultural miscegenation in Venezuela

Venezuelan cultural miscegenation was also strongly influenced by Spanish, African and indigenous manifestations. In the case of Venezuela, the Spaniards from the Canary Islands were abundant, so that in this region there was an important cultural influence of the Canaries.

Artistic manifestation

The indigenous heritage is widely reflected in Venezuelan crafts. For example, hammocks or hammocks, as well as baskets made based on the Moriche plate, are important manifestations of this culture and have deeply indigenous roots.

In the case of African contributions, these are observed in many musical instruments typical of Venezuelan culture, such as drums or maracas. Finally, the Spanish influence is reflected in the language (as in all of Latin America) and in Venezuelan traditions such as the bullfight.

In all these cases, the influences of each group contributed to the generation of indigenous products and traditions, which currently define the idiosyncrasy of the Venezuelan.

Holy Week

Alejandro C 7ve / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

In Venezuela, Holy Week is very important, since almost 70% of the population declares itself Catholic. What is relevant is that there are many celebrations that have similarities with those that take place in regions of Spain such as Andalusia or the Canary Islands.

In fact, the Nazarene of San Pablo, a carving located in the Basilica of Santa Teresa in Caracas and one of the most venerated in the nation, was sculpted by the Sevillian image maker Felipe de Ribas around the 17th century.

This work, like others, is taken out in procession on Holy Wednesday through the streets of Caracas until the Stations of the Cross are completed.

References

1. Márquez, A. "The culture of miscegenation: Venezuela on the threshold of the XXI century" in Jstor. Retrieved on December 8, 2019 from Jstor: jstor.org
2. Castro, D and Suárez, M. "On the process of miscegenation in Venezuela" in Interciencia. Retrieved on December 8, 2019 from Interciencia: interciencia.net
3. Pinto, W. "Footprints of the mestiza traveled the history of Ecuador" in El Universo. Retrieved on December 8, 2019 from El Universo: eluniverso.com
4. "Miscegenation" in New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved on December 8, 2019 from New World Encyclopedia: newworldencyclopedia.org
5. "Mestizaje in Mexico" in Wikipedia. Retrieved on December 8, 2019 from Wikipedia: wikipedia.org
6. "Cultural miscegenation in Mexico" in History of Mexico. Retrieved on December 8, 2019 from History of Mexico: lahistoriamexicana.mx
7. "Peruvian cuisine: history of miscegenation and fusion" in Cook concern. Retrieved on December 8, 2019 from Cook concern: cookconcern.com