From Google Images: Traditional Mexican Mole
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The Indigenous culture of Mexico had very different beliefs than the ones prevalent today. Before Spain's invasion of Mexico, Indigenous tribes had different religious practices. The Indigenous tribes practiced a polytheistic religion that celebrated many different Gods. Focusing specifically on the Aztec culture and religion, they worshiped gods such as fire, water, earth, and sky deities. Their main God was named Huitzilopotchli, meaning "Left Handed Hummingbird, who was a God of war, sun, and human sacrifice who influenced many of the celebrations the Aztec had. Through these sacrifices and celebrations to their God, the Aztec culture incorporated their food. This all changed with the colonization of Mexican Indigenous peoples by Spaniards. The food culture and religion of Spain greatly shaped and impacted the natives of Mexico and helped create the country we are familiar with now.
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Health Care In Mexico:
With the introduction of fast food in Mexico, the health of this country has begun to decline. Because almost half of the population is on or below the poverty line, these cheap alternatives to meals are becoming more and more appealing to struggling families. Mexico's poor is seeing an increase in obesity and health problems that accompany it such as: high blood pressure and diabetes. It is a decline and income that has contributed to the health decline of Mexicans, the poor ones, throughout Mexico.
With the introduction of fast food in Mexico, the health of this country has begun to decline. Because almost half of the population is on or below the poverty line, these cheap alternatives to meals are becoming more and more appealing to struggling families. Mexico's poor is seeing an increase in obesity and health problems that accompany it such as: high blood pressure and diabetes. It is a decline and income that has contributed to the health decline of Mexicans, the poor ones, throughout Mexico.
From Google Images: Tacos De Asada
Indigenous Celebrations :
One of the most significant celebrations in Indigenous Religious culture was the human sacrifice. Contrary to popular belief, the Aztec did not torture and kill all their sacrifices unwillingly, in some instances it was great honor to die for their Gods. It was a position so coveted that a popular sport was created where the winner would have the great honor of being killed. During these celebrations, specifically for their main God Huitzilopotchli, they would fast and eat very little during their month of preparation for this festival. They would make a statue of their God out of honey and seeds and, once they had completed the human sacrifice, they would all eat the statue together. Before the Spanish, the Aztec (indigenous) diet consisted of very little meat and they mostly harvested their own food and hunted little game. The Aztec people had a belief story that many of their native food sources, such as seeds they used to harvest and certain animals,were gifted to them by their Gods. Their religion was very closely related to their every day lives and especially their food culture.
Sources: 1. O’Hara, Matthew. "A Flock Divided: Race, Religion, And Politics In Mexico, 1749-1857." Journal Of Social History 45.4 (2012): 1153-1154. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2.Adapon, Joy. "Culinary Art And Anthropology / Joy Adapon." n.p.: Oxford ; New York : Berg, 2008., 2008. Agricola. Web. 3.Monarrez-Espino, J., R.C. Hoyos, and T. Greiner. "Perception Of Food And Body Shape As Dimensions Of Western Acculturation Potentially Linked To Overweight In Tarahumara Women Of Mexico." Ecology Of Food And Nutrition 43.3 (2004): 193-212. Agricola. Web. 4. Fleuriet, K. Jill. "Articulating Distress On Multiple Levels: Illness, History, And Culture Among The Kumiai Of Baja California, Mexico." Mexican Studies / Estudios Mexicanos 23.1 (2007): 155-180. Academic Search Premier. Web. |
From Google Images: The Catholic Symbol of The Virgin Mary
Catholic Celebrations :
When the Spanish arrived to Mexico, they brought with them new foods and a new religion. Since the Aztec had very little meat in their diet, the introduction of domesticated animals changed the way the country made food in a drastic way. Spain introduced animals such as pigs, cows, chickens, goats, and sheep. They also brought over new spices such as oregano, coriander, and clove. The Spanish wanted to change the cooking and religious habits of the native Mexicans, but while the Catholic religion took over much of the country, the Spanish way of cooking did not take over completely. The natives incorporated the new foods and customs introduced to them with their own traditional dishes. Religious celebrations such as Easter and Christmas are now a big part of Mexican tradition. The custom is to invite family over and and eat together, this doesn't differ from the tradition the natives had of sharing their food but now instead of worshiping many Gods they only worship one. Specific foods that are made durring Christmas is "Atole", a corn based hot drink popular during winter, and Mole which is traditionally served at either of these celebrations. Religion has had a huge affect on how Mexican people eat their food. It is seen as a 'family event', preparing and eating the food together is considered to be a way to keep social and personal relationships healthy and connected.
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