POSADAS ARE FAST APPROACHING

Every tradition has a beginning. Passing from generation to generation, traditions can be modified in time, but the essence and the aim remain the same, all the while conveying its main message. Positive traditions teach the old and the young, they provide guidelines and good advice, demonstrating the best way to resolve life’s problems and the situations they pose.

Traditions are an essential part of a person’s culture. Their origin varies in nature, form and expression; they come from one’s lifestyle, from social characteristics, religion, socioeconomical conditions, political environments and even geographical locations. In this regard, Mexico has a rich diversity of traditions and customs, due to its location and history; repeatedly a mix of indigenous and Spanish customs, a syncretism between náhuatl (one of Mexico’s 68 different indigenous languages and peoples) and Christianity, brought by the Conquistadores. coexistence of indigenous culture and Hispanic features, have offered a wide variety of subtleties that have enriched the Mexican national identity.

In Mexico, missionaries of different ecclesiastical order took advantage of coincidences between indigenous festivities and celebrations occurring in the Catholic liturgical calendar, making their missionary work more prevalent. It is a fact, that pre-Hispanic festivities towards divinities were gradually modified by European influence taking advantage of similar dates. Thus, the saints, parties and Christian themes were introduced little by little into the population, resulting in a cultural syncretism, that today is reflected in Mexican cultural expressions.

One well-known celebration is Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) on November 2nd; the indigenous tradition where the dead spend this day with the living, through altars placed in homes and public places, combining with the liturgical days of All Saints (November 1st) and All Dead (November 2nd).

Another one obvious example is the celebration of Posadas (the Spanish word for inns or guest houses), which are celebrated every December, from 16th to 24th. Mexican indigenous people used to celebrate the arrival of Huitzilopochtli – God of War – in the month Panquetzaliztli – according to the Gregorian