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Mexico
Culture & History
Personality, Culture, & Identity
Mexico is like a child with multiple personalities disorder
stuck in a dysfunctional family with daddy issues. Before independence, the Spanish
and indigenous populations had an awkward relationship based upon miscommunication
and today's Mexico is the result of this marriage.
Mexico's father, Spain abused, ignored, neglected,
and exploited Mexico for centuries resulting in Mexico's lack of interest in
her father, however, like any abused child taking her father's name, Mexico
has taken the Spanish language as a constant reminder of her past. On the other
hand, although her mother initially appeared weak due to the Aztecs quick fall from
power, Mexico today is continuously turning more and more to her mother through
indigenous clothing, foods, architecture, and history.
From the time Mexico gained independence to today, the
people and government officials have fought over which direction to go, who should
lead, how they should lead, and what their priorities are. With each presidency
(many of which lasted less than a year) a different group was represented, a different
opinion was stressed, and a different minority was suppressed. But worse, as each
group or president came to power their loyalties and focus always shifted from the
people's needs to their own personal interests as each discovered the profit
available in running a government.
The constant instability in Mexico has stolen any identity
from the people of Mexico as many dream of one day running away from this dysfunctional
family and starting a new life elsewhere; even if that means a new life with their
seemingly arrogant neighbor to the north, who many of them envy and secretly dream
of each night.
History
Mexico's history begins with their ancient civilizations
of the Mayans and Aztecs among others. These two groups created strong governments,
cultures, communication, and architecture that still stands today. These cultures
are still known for their monuments, like the ones in Chichen Itza or the city of
Teotihuacan, but also for their incredible understanding of astrology and their
tendency to sacrifice humans to appease the gods.
Despite the arrival of the Europeans and the incredibly
quick fall of the native civilizations, modern day Mexico
takes much of its culture and heritage from these ancient peoples. Most Mexicans
have at least some native blood in them and the Mexican flag is taken from the Aztecs'
(also known as Mexica) sighting of an eagle devouring a snake while standing
on a cactus.
The European arrival also destroyed much of the local
population as each group approached the other with hesitancy. The Spanish arrived
en-force in modern-day Mexico in 1519 and the two groups
saw the other as mystical. The Aztecs believed, according to their calendar, that
the god Quetzalcoatl was to return from the east that year and when Cortez arrived
on horseback it was believed he was Quetzalcoatl so the Aztecs let the Spanish into
their city. On the other hand, the Spanish believed the Aztecs to be sub-human and
didn't believe otherwise until Pope Paul III determined the Aztecs to be so
in 1537.
The influence the Spanish had on Mexico was significant,
beginning with the conversion of much of the local population to Catholicism. However
soon after this conversion, the people weren't treated as equals so much as
being treated like slaves as the Spanish began ruthlessly exploiting the local populations.
As chaos ensued in Europe, particularly war with
France and Napoleon's eventual takeover of Spain, tensions rose in
Mexico as the different groups fought over power until
1810 when Padre Miguel Hidalgo launched a rebellion for independence. After 11 years
of fighting, Mexico won independence. However, from 1821 until the 1860 Mexico's
political stability was non-existent and they were continuously invaded as they
failed to control their lands.
Beginning in 1866 Mexico undertook a number of changes
including greater access to education, better transportation networks, and improved
healthcare, but during this time, free elections were stopped and in 1910 the Mexican
Revolution broke out to remedy this, but not without first killing nearly15% of
the country and destroying any stability the government once held.
From 1920 until today Mexico has been under strict government
rule and the people have hardly had a chance at a fair election or any freedoms
at all. This has caused emigration, particularly to the United States
a growing concern for both Americans and Mexican alike.
Dress & Behavior
There are few dress or behavioral restrictions in Mexico.
Many tourists visit Mexico solely for the beaches so scantily clad dress is commonly
accepted. However, unlike many beaches in Europe, sunbathing
naked is not always permitted. Check with local restrictions; while some beaches
may permit naked sunbathing, many tend to forbid this.
To learn about dining etiquette in Mexico, visit the Mexican Food page.
This page was last updated: May, 2011