MEXICO

S AY D A V E G AH I S T O R Y 1 4 1

C L A S S # 5 0 5 8 7

NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS:

A COUNTRY REPORT

*PART 2*

CULTURE

Music*The foundation of Mexican music comes from its indigenous sounds and heritage.*Original usage of drums, flutes, maracas, sea shells.*Traditional contemporary music was written during and after the Spanish colonial period.*Mexican music includes Mariachi, Banda, Norteño, Ranchera and Corridos, Pop, Mexican Rock.*Some famous singers are Luis Miguel, Alejandro Fernandez.*Famous composers: Agustin Lara, Armando Manzanero

Food*It is characterized for its blending of Indigenous and European cultures.*Tacos, Enchiladas, Mole, Atole, Tamales, Pozole and Burritos are just some of the popular dishes.*Common Mexican ingredients are corn, beans, rice, chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, peepers, chilies, onions, nuts, cilantro, oregano, cocoa, and avocado.*Popular beverages include hot chocolate, flavored water, mescal, pulque and tequila.

CULTURE

Literature*The most popular prehispanic poet is Netzahualcoyotl.*Colonial writers and poets include Juan Ruiz de Alarcon, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Octavio Paz (Novel Laureate), Mariano Arzuela (The Underdogs) and Juan Rulfo (Pedro Paramo).*Modern Mexican literature was influenced by the concepts of the Spanish colonization of Mesoamerica.

Art*Mexican art is known for Pre-Columbian Art, Muralist and Folk Art traditions.*Some characteristics include angular, linear patterns, and three dimensional ceramics.*The Valley of Oaxaca counts with notable handicrafts such as clay pottery.*Colorful embroidered cotton garments.*Some well known artists include Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, Rufino Tamayo, Frida kahlo

CULTURE

Sports*Mexican traditional sport is known as Charreria (series of equestrian events).*The Plaza de Toros is the largest venue for Bullfighting, which is very popular too.*There are many soccer teams including, Club Americas, Cruz Azul, Chivas de Guadalajara. Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Rafael Marquez, Hugo Sanchez, and Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) are some of the most notable players.*Boxing and Lucha Libre (wrestling) are other sports for which Mexico is known for. Popular celebrities include Julio Cesar Chavez, and Marco Antonio Barrera.

Cinema*Mexican cinema is thought to have begun in the beginning of the 20th Century.*”The Golden Age of Mexican cinema is the name given to the period where the success of Mexican cinema reached its peak”.*Some well known film makers are Alejandro Gonzales (Amores Perros, Babel), Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), and Guillermo del Toro ( Pan’s Labyrinth).

SOURCES

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Mexico

• http://www.facts-about-mexico.com/mexican-culture.html

• http://www.google.com/