Mexico Holidays and Cuisine

Some interesting holidays that Mexicans celebrate are Dia de los Muertos , Cinco de Mayo, and Dia de los Santos Reyes, to name a few. Dia de los Muertos is the day of the dead, a holiday that embraces death (Mexican Holidays, 2000). Small loves of bread, called pan de muerto, is baked, with small figs laid in it to represent bones. Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of the defeat of the French army in 1862. The independence of Mexico is celebrated in large parties. Dia de los Santos Reyes also known as Three King Day is when the Mexicans exchange Christmas gifts. A special treat is served on this day in the Rosca de Reyes; it is crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with jewel-like candied fruits (Mexican Holidays, 2000). This particular bread is made with water, yeast, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, salt, cinnamon, anise seed, vanilla candied fruit and a small plastic baby Jesus (A to Z World Culture, 2012). When the cake is cooled they lift one corner carefully and press the plastic baby Jesus securely in to a hole.

In 1531 a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to a poor Indian at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City; she identified herself as the Mother of the True God (Mexican Holidays, 2000). The Virgin of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas, is the symbolic mother of Mexicans everywhere, the symbol of Mexican identity, history, and culture. In Mexico they hold a feast that is celebrated in December in honor of Lady of Guadalupe; it is celebrate with a Mass and a Mariachi band. Lady Guadalupe; message of love and compassion; and her universal promise of help and protect all mankind. These words are very important in the lives of the Catholics in Mexico who worship her truly as part of their every day lives