por The Chihuahuan culture It shows a mixture of the groups that interacted during the Colony, as well as the societies that have been inserted today in the state.
During the Colony, the aborigines, the Spaniards and the blacks came together giving rise to the mestizo culture, which is the one that currently predominates in Chihuahua. From this mixture emerged elements that define the current culture of the state.
For example, current religious traditions are the mixture between European beliefs and aboriginal beliefs. On the other hand, some dances include African elements, such as the drum.
Immigrant groups have also shaped the culture of Chihuahua. A case worth mentioning is that of the Mennonites, a religious group of Swiss origin that arrived in the state at the beginning of the 20th century.
Many of the products made by these groups are part of Chihuahuan gastronomy, such as Mennonite cheese, butter and milk cream.
Chihuahua’s terrain conditions also contributed to forging the culture of this state. The impossibility of developing extensive agriculture made the inhabitants, both aboriginal and colonizers, learn various techniques to preserve food, which is observed in Chihuahuan gastronomy.
Gastronomy
Chihuahua’s gastronomy is characterized by the use of meats, processed wheat-based products and various types of cheeses.
The apple occupies a fundamental position in the cuisine of Chihuahua, since in the valleys of said state there are hundreds of hectares planted with apple trees.
It is common to find dehydrated products, such as canned fruits, dried meat, chili powder, and dehydrated corn.
This is because the first settlers of this territory realized the impediments that existed to develop agriculture: steep mountains, sudden changes in temperature and lack of water.
For this reason, various techniques were used to preserve food.
Among the cheeses, Chihuahua cheese stands out, also known as Mennonita because it is prepared by this town. Grilled cheese is also made, which is usually eaten with corn tortillas.
The typical drink of the area is tesgüino, also known as batari or sugiki, which is prepared with tender corn sprouts and other herbs.
These herbs are boiled and left to ferment for two days. The mixture obtained is white and thick, and its taste is slightly bitter.
Some of the typical dishes of Chihuahua are:
The kid to the shepherd
It is a dish that is prepared with roast goat.
The mash with egg
It is macerated and dehydrated meat.
The red chile with dried meat
It is prepared with beef and red peppers.
chili with cheese
To prepare this dish, peppers are taken, opened and filled with slices of melted cheese.
the burritos
They are wheat flour tortillas filled with machaca, ham, cheese, beans and avocado.
bear broth
It is made with typical fish from the area, aromatic herbs and red peppers.
sopaipilla
It is one of the best known desserts. To prepare this dish, a wheat flour dough with yeast is made.
The dough is spread out in a circular shape, cut into four parts and fried. It is accompanied with brown sugar molasses.
dried apricot fruit
They are pieces of dried fruit.
Religious festivals
Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico, which is why celebrations are held throughout the country in honor of this Marian devotion.
Traditionally the festival takes place on December 12. However, it can be extended for more than one day.
During this festivity there are dances and concerts, both contemporary music and aboriginal music. There are also liturgical acts, such as masses and processions.
Saint Rita’s Day
Santa Rita is a patron saint in Chihuahua. In honor of this saint, on May 22 of each year a fair is organized in which local products are sold, such as handicrafts and typical food from the area.
San Isidro Labrador Day
The day of San Isidro Labrador is celebrated with traditional dances. These dances are performed throughout the day without interruption.
At the end of the day, the dancers and visitors participate in a parade.
Santa Barbara Day
On December 4, the day of Santa Barbara is celebrated. During this festival, dances are performed, such as the dance of the archers and the Aztec dance. The celebration can extend for more than one day.
Craft
In the state of Chihuahua there are various samples of handicrafts, made by both the white and mestizo population as well as by the aboriginal population of the place.
Among the handicraft items, objects made of leather such as hats, belts, handbags and boots, among others, stand out. Woven objects such as blankets, tablecloths, traditional dresses and embroidered cloths are also made.
Likewise, woodwork such as tables, chairs, toys and masks are made. As for goldsmithing, works are carried out in gold, silver and bronze.
Music
In Chihuahua there is a set of musical styles highly influenced by immigrants from central Europe in the 19th century.
The redova, the mazurka, the polka or the chotis are mixed with traditional northern music, giving rise to a series of songs or dances that are very characteristic of this region of Mexico.
Some of the most used musical instruments in Chihuahua are the accordion, violin, tenábaris, tololoche, tarola or bajo sexto.
Religious beliefs of aboriginal groups
Although Chihuahua is a Catholic state, there are still aboriginal groups that preserve their traditions. Such is the case of the Tarahumara, also known as Rarámuris.
According to these aborigines, the creator of all beings was Onorúame. This deity created the Tarahumara from mud. To the man he gave three puffs of his breath to make him come to life, while to the woman he gave four.
Each of these breaths represents the souls that a person is endowed with. Women have four because they can give birth, which men cannot.
Onorúame’s brother wanted to imitate him and produced figures from ash. However, he only blew once, so the created beings were incomplete. According to the Tarahumara, these beings are mestizos and whites.