Unit 3 Culture in Latin America

Mexico Culture Primary language: Spanish Major Religion: Roman Catholic ◦ Imp. Holidays: Christmas, Lent, Easter Other holidays include: ◦ Day of the Dead (1) ◦ Quinceanera (2) ◦ Cinco de Mayo (3)

Mexico Culture continued Day of the Dead (1) ◦ Day of honoring dead loved ones & accepting death  In rural areas, families clean relatives’ graves and place candles, flowers, and the favorite foods of the deceased on the gravesite  In cities, people celebrate in the street and eat breads and candies in the shapes of skulls and skeletons Quinceanera (2) ◦ Girl’s 15 th birthday ◦ Marks end of her childhood ◦ May date back from Aztec tradition to stress a young woman’s role in society

Mexico Culture continued Cinco de Mayo (3) ◦ National holiday that remembers the Mexican victory over French troops in 1862  Became a symbol of the Mexican struggle to end European control in Mexico ◦ Celebrated more in the U.S. to emphasize Mexican heritage  Sometimes misrepresented as Mexican Independence Day

Mexican Culture Continued Food ◦ Tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, and chalupas Most popular sport is soccer Bullfighting is the national sport of Mexico Music--Mariachi watch?v=Rkp_XoG6Nng Bullfighting Dwarves

Caribbean Culture Official language of Caribbean country depends on what European country colonized it ◦ Spanish: Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico ◦ French: Haiti Main religion in Caribbean: ◦ most Spanish/French speaking countries are Roman Catholic ◦ English/Dutch speaking countries: Protestant Many people in the Caribbean are mulattoes ◦ Mulattoes: people of African & European descent

Haiti Creole is spoken throughout the Caribbean ◦ Creole: blend of European, African and Caribbean language Strongly influenced by African traditions Voodoo ◦ Haitian version of traditional African beliefs that are blended w/ elements of Christianity ◦ Followers believe good/evil spirits play a role in daily life

Jamaica Background Strongly influenced by African traditions ◦ Much of population descendants of slaves English is the official language Last colonized by Great Britain Majority Religion: Christianity Food: Jerk Meats ◦ Chicken/pork Jerk Chicken

Jamaica Rastafarianism Important religious and cultural movement in Jamaica since the 1950s ◦ Popular in underprivileged communities They believe that they are being tested by Jah through slavery, the existence of economic injustice & racial “downpression”

Jamaica Rastafarianism continued Rastafarians believe in principles of a balanced lifestyle ◦ Long hair locked in its natural, uncombed state (Dreadlocks) ◦ Dressed in the colors of red, green, gold, and black  symbolize the life force of blood, herbs, royalty, and being African ◦ Natural vegetarian diet ◦ All-night drumming ceremonies ◦ Start of Reggae

Jamaica Reggae Originated in 1960’s ◦ Became popular in United States in 1970’s Consists of drum, bass guitar, and electric guitar Became extremely popular by Bob Marley ◦ Still used in music today ◦ fVcFg-aOAdU fVcFg-aOAdU ◦ ( I shot the sheriff)

South American Culture Most countries speak Spanish ◦ Brazil speaks Portuguese Most of cities are located on the coast near seaports ◦ Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro Buenos Aires

South America Culture Continued Religion: most are Roman Catholic  Hindu temples and Islamic mosques located in areas with South Asian and Indonesian immigrants Origins of the samba & tango

S.A. Culture continued Gauchos- Argentinean cowboys ◦ Popular in literature and culture much of population meat eaters (Brazil/Argentina) ◦ watch?v=H9OXTjOC8u4 (Fogo de Chao) watch?v=H9OXTjOC8u4