Meet the people of Mexico
The Mexican culture is a mix of Pre-Colombian and Spanish lifestyles, making the entire country a diversity of colors. To this day, Mexico holds more than 50 Indian tribes that separate themselves from the current lifestyles of the mestizos (a person from Indian and Spanish blood).
During the 16th century most of Mexico was affected by an almost constant state of rebellion and war due to the fact that the Spanish tried to conquer Mexico and found hard resistance from its original inhabitants. The Spaniards reacted on the Indian attacks by moving conquered Indian tribes to places were they would serve as a buffer. Therefore, many Indians died in order to protect their own religion and lifestyle.
Nowadays, more than 50 Indian tribes combine their original religion with the Christianity that was brought to Mexico with the Spanish, French, and Italian missionaries. Every Indian tribe has their own story and each of them is worth discovering, because most Indian tribes still hold their own lifestyle due to the fact that they lived in remote areas such as the Sierra Madre or the jungle and did not want to give up their customs.
However, one common characteristic of the North-Indian tribes is their use of the peyote plant. This plant is considered to be sacred. Therefore, the Indian tribes still perform religious rituals for the peyote. The peyote is according to the tribes, when applied to the skin, a remedy against snakebites, skin burns, wounds and arthritis. Apart from the Tarahumara tribe and Cora tribe, the Huichol tribe is also known for their use of the peyote. One to four blossoms are supposed to diminish hunger, thirst, sexual lust and exhaustion. Five or more blossoms are causing hallucinations.
There are more than 1 million descendents of the Mayas living in the Yucatan Peninsula. Apart from their features (small people with flat noses and a dark skin), they can also be recognized by the clothes they are wearing and language they are speakling as these are different to the the clothes and language of the mestizos.
Discover the art of Mexico and the Yucatan
Colorful Mexico is represented in the handcrafts; these are as colorful and decorative as they used to be in the Pre-Colombian period. Mexican artifacts are still made with the same techniques and out of the same material, whereas the markets nowadays also sell factory made products.
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The Yucatan Peninsula is known for its hammocks. The best hammocks of Mexico are produced here. The Peninsula is also famous for its quality furniture made out of Mahoney - and cedar wood. Experience something different and relax in a hammock. If you do not want to sleep in it alone, buy a family hammock! Furthermore, in the state southwest of Yucatan, Campeche, you find the best Panama-Hats in Mexico.
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Celebrate the fiestas!
Mexico has, has national fiestas, fiestas in the cities, fiestas in villages and in the barrios (suburban); This means that Mexico holds more than 5,000 fiestas a year!
Very important on such fiestas is dance and music that you can hear from every street corner. You will not know what Mexico and the Yuctan is about, if you have not been to a local fiesta!
Taste the Mexican cuisine
The Mexican cuisine is like Mexico itself; a mix of ingredients from all over the world. Next to the “must have” ingredients such as beans, corn and chilli, chicken, cheese, garlic, rice and papas (potatoes) are part of the rich Mexican cuisine.
The Yucatan cuisine is derived from the Mayas, making it spicier than the cuisine of Northern Mexico. Some typical dishes are cochinita pibil, papadzulas, sopa de lima or azteca and queso relleno. When was the last time you experienced something new?
The best way to relieve your burning tongue is to drink some beer and the Yucatan Peninsula holds the best beer, ranging from the light Montejo to the dark Negro Leon.
Experience mexican life !!!
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