A significant portion of Mexican culture is derived from Spanish influence, including the language, religion, and certain customs and traditions.
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A significant portion of Mexican culture is derived from Spanish influence, as Spain colonized Mexico for over three centuries. The Spanish language is the most prominent influence, with over 98% of Mexicans speaking it today. Additionally, the majority of Mexican people identify as Roman Catholic, which was brought to Mexico by the Spanish conquistadors.
Mexican cuisine has also been heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine, with some dishes being direct adaptations of Spanish dishes, such as churros, tortas, and tamales. The use of corn and chili peppers in Mexican cuisine predates the arrival of the Spanish, but the Spanish introduced ingredients such as rice, wheat, and certain meats and cheeses.
Mexican art and architecture also show the influence of Spanish culture. The colonial era left buildings in the Baroque and Renaissance styles, and Mexican folk art often features Catholic iconography.
About the impact of Spanish culture on Mexico, Mario Puzo once said, “Mexican food is not very good in Spain. It is very different from Mexican food in America. In Spain, they use a lot of rice and beans, like Mexican food, but it is very different.”
Here are some interesting facts about the Spanish influence on Mexican culture:
- The word “chocolate” comes from the Nahuatl word “xocolātl”, and chocolate was introduced to Europe by the Spanish.
- Mexico celebrates “Día de los Muertos,” or “Day of the Dead,” a holiday with roots in pre-Colombian indigenous culture that was later combined with Catholic All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
- Mariachi music, a quintessential part of Mexican culture, was influenced by Spanish music and evolved in the 19th century.
- The famous Puebla dress, known for its bright colors and intricate patterns, was created during the colonial period as a fusion of indigenous and Spanish styles.
- Bullfighting is a controversial tradition in Mexico that was brought by Spanish colonizers.
- The Spanish also introduced the tradition of “La Posada,” a Christmas celebration that reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking lodging before the birth of Jesus.
Here is a table with some more examples of Spanish influence on Mexican culture:
| Area of Influence | Examples |
|---|---|
| Language | Spanish language, Mexican Spanish dialect |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Cuisine | Rice, wheat, cheeses, meats, churros, tamales |
| Art/Architecture | Baroque and Renaissance styles, Catholic iconography |
| Holidays/Traditions | Día de los Muertos, La Posada, bullfighting |
Response to your question in video format
In this YouTube video titled “MEXICAN IN SPAIN: My 5 cultural shocks 🇪🇸 | Easy Spanish 124,” the speaker shares his five cultural shocks when he arrived in Spain. The first two shocks involve his incorrect expectations of Madrid and the strong personalities of Spaniards. He talks about the gastronomy in Spain and praises the menu of the day concept. Despite facing initial misunderstandings with the Spanish language, he adapted and found it a good exercise to learn more vocabulary and cultural differences. The speaker expresses his love for the food culture, abundance of bars and terraces, cleanliness and safety of the streets, and the efficiency of the metro. The video ends with an invitation to join his Hispanic en Visión membership and to check out his travel blogger channel.
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93.8%Languages of Mexico According to the CIA, Spanish is spoken by 93.8% of the Mexican population.
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Beside above, What percent of Mexican is Spanish? Most of their ancestors arrived during the colonial period but further hundreds of thousands have since then immigrated, especially during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. The Encyclopædia Britannica states those of predominantly European descent make up closer to one-sixth (≈17%) of the Mexican population.
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Is Spanish language part of Mexican culture? Response: Mexico is a fascinating country rich in culture, traditions and linguistic diversity. Although there are 69 official languages, Spanish is the de facto national language. Mexican Spanish is considered one of the most polite and easy to understand of all Latin American dialects.
Also Know, What are 3 main Mexican cultures? Mexicans make several cultural subdivisions within the nation. The most common one identifies northern, central, and south or south-eastern Mexico.
Keeping this in consideration, What makes up Mexican culture?
Mexico culture is primarily influenced by its Indigenous inhabitants and the culture of Spain. Mexican culture is described as the ‘child’ of both western and native American civilizations. Other minor influences include those from other regions of Europe, as well as Asia and Africa.
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