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Mexican Mariaches

This is really interesting information on the Mexican Mariachi.

Musicologists and folklorists have argued for years over the origin of the word – Mariachi. The explanation that appears most frequently – especially on record jackets and in travel brochures – is that it is a variation of the French word mariage, meaning wedding or marriage, and comes from the time in the nineteenth century when Maximillian, a Frenchman, was Emperor of Mexico.

According to this myth the Mariachi was named by the French after the celebration with which it was most commonly associated. But this explanation, always regarded as highly doubtful by linguists, was totally discredited recently when a use of the word was found that predated the time when the French arrived in Mexico.

Currently, however, the best scholarly opinion is that the word mariachi has native roots. One theory is that it comes from the name of the wood used to make the platform on which the performers danced to the music of the village musicians. But whatever its true source – and the truth may never be discovered with absolute certainty – the word today has one meaning that is crystal clear: Mariachi means on of the most exciting and enchanting musical ensembles found anywhere in the world.

The Beginning of the Mariachi We Know Today

Although the origins of Mariachi music go back hundreds of years, in the form we know it the Mariachi began in the nineteenth century in the Mexican state of Jalisco – according to popular legend, in the town of Cocula. The Mariachi was the distinctive version of the Spanish theatrical orchestra of violins, harp and guitars which developed in and around Jalisco. In other areas such as Veracruz and the Huasteca region in the northeast, the ensemble evolved differently. By the end of the nineteenth century, in Cocula the vihuela, two violins, and the guitarró n (which had replaced the harp) were the instruments of the Mariachi.

The principal music played by these early Mariachis was the SON, the popular music of the day. A mixture of folk traditions from Spain, Mexico, and Africa, the son was found in many regions of the country. The son from Jalisco is called the son jalisciense. La Negra is the best-known example.

Sones from other regions include the son jarocho or veracruzano, from the region around the Gulf port of Veracruz; and the son huasteco, from northeastern Mexico. The most famous example of the son jarocho is La Bamba . A typical son huasteco, also known as the huapango, is La Malagueñ a. It is interesting to note that there are some sones, such as El Gusto, which are common in all three regions and clearly date back to a common ancestor.

Enjoy Mexican Mariachi Music.

Editor’s Note: Jorge Tamayo (tamayoj@imac-ac.edu.mx) operates the IMAC Instituto Mexico Americano de Cultura, A Spanish Language School in Guadalajara, Mexic  MEXonline.com

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Semana Santa is one of  Mexico‘s  most important holiday season of the year behind only Christmas &  NewYears. It runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. In addition to attending Mass on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, many Mexicans will also take advantage of the holiday to go on vacation. If you’re planning to visit Mexico during Semana Santa, make sure you checked on availability in advance.

Semana Santa in Mexico

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, celebrates the Christian holiday of Easter. Mexico is nearly 90 percent Catholic, so this religious holiday takes on a special meaning that the entire community shares and participates in.

All of Mexico celebrates Semana Santa, but certain cities and villages are better known for celebrating the holiday, and often provide reenactments of the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion on the cross. The best known cities are Ixtapalapa (in Mexico City), Pátzcuaro, San Cristobal de las Casas (Chiapas), and Taxco. Smaller and silent torch lit processions, Processión del Silencio, also take place in Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí.

Each community celebrates the holiday with it’s own regional flavor, however, popular with the whole country is the breaking of cascarones, colored egg shells filled with confetti, over friends and family. Churches will be filled with those attending Mass on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and families will take this opportunity to be together.

The most moving event of Semana Santa is the reenactment of the Passion of Christ, or the Passion Play. The event’s in the mentioned cities are sponsored by religious or community groups, and can include large processions of penitents, sometimes on their knees, a portrayal of the last supper and the crucifixion itself.

In many cities, important religious images from the church will be displayed, traditional altars are decorated at home and in the streets, and flower decorations and palm crosses will be found everywhere. The central colonial cities seem to celebrate this holiday with the most reverence and tradition, and if you wish to see the beauty of traditional Mexico, Semana Santa would be well worth seeing for yourself.

Enjoy!

MEXonline.com

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Los Voladores Papantala

In colorful thousand year old costumes, the voladores, the flyers, of Papantla appeal to the gods by performing a traditional, highly symbolic dance at the base of a tall, tall pole reaching high toward the gods in the sky.

Four flyers carrying long ropes and a fifth, their leader, with his flute and small drum begin the long upward climb. Atop the pole is their platform—an disc for the leader and slabs like one-by-fours making a square for seating.

Los Voladores De Papantala

Slowly the flyers rotate their platform and wind their ropes, four ropes side-by-side, around the pole. When there’s no slack left, and with the free ends of the ropes tied well around the waists of the flying-men, the leader appeals to the gods once again.

High atop the pole he plays his flute, and beats a cadence on his tiny diameter drum. Standing he dances to the four cardinal points.

And then, ever continuing to play, he sits. And the flyers fall—fall over backward from their seats.

We gasped and jumped to our feet. We were the first-timers in the crowd. The pull on the rope turned the platform, and the platform spun the fliers in long slow circles around the pole—the lower they came the wider the circle.

Suited in white shirts and red pants and trimmed in bright colors, as they have done for more than a thousand years, the flyers, heads downward or sailing birdlike on their sides, spun their traditional 13 circles from the sky to the ground.

This religious ceremony now turned commercial used to happen throughout Mexico, and in Central and South America. The pole we faced was at El Tajin, the most magical ruins in the State of Veracruz. The flyers, the voladores, are Totonacs. And although only five climb the pole, we found out that there are six voladores per group.

The sixth volador passes through the crowd asking for a donation of a dollar or two. Sometimes the sixth volador is rudely treated by foreigners who’ve forgotten that in Mexico making a living is not easy and today flying is an important supplement to a volador’s income.

Long ago, so the story goes, terrible drought and famine descended upon Totonacapan, the land of the indigenous Totonac peoples. Five brave men set out looking for their chance to appeal to Xipe Totec, the god of fertility. They went to ask that the rains return and the land turn green with crops to feed the hungry people.

A long journey deep into the rugged forested land brought them to the tallest, straightest tree, a tree reaching almost to the sky. They wished the tree’s spirit to carry their words to Xipe Totec. They prayed and fasted and stayed the night high in the tree’s branches. And the next morning they felled the tree.

Without letting the tree touch the ground, they carried it to the people, to the heart of Totonacapan with its temples and pyramids and ball courts and dwellings, and deciding upon the perfect spot finally the five brave men let the tree touch the ground.

They stripped the tree of its branches and returned the tip of the tree to the sky sinking the bottom of the trunk into the earth.

Los Voladores Papantala

Costumed in bright plumage that would attract the attention of the gods, they climbed the pole, and as we had seen, they wrapped their lines (long thick vines in days so long ago) around the tree. They sent last prayers and music to the gods, and then from high in the sky, they set themselves flying.

The rite of the flyers, as we always hear talking to our Totonac friends here in the City of Veracruz, reminds them and tells us who they are—a brave and daring people deeply respectful of their past and highly proud of their present. Every loving retelling of the story of the fliers is a little different from every other retelling we’ve heard. And every retelling yet to come will be a little different.

Today the city of Papantla, is the center of Totonacapan. The region is famous for its production of Mexico’s rich, highly aromatic vanilla. Close to Papantla is El Tajin, the greatest cultural center of the Totonacs. El Tajin is a large ruins with pyramids and temples, and ball courts and housing. Not as large as Teotihuacan or Palenque, El Tajin has a more human scale, and one feels an almost mystical communication with those who were there a thousand years ago.

Papantla and El Tajin are especially safe places to visit. Not many locals speak English, but plenty speak a little “Spanglish.” Any tourist knowing just a bit of survival Spanish can enjoy the voladores, the pyramids, the culture, the close-by ocean, and warm and friendly people of Veracruz. MEXonline.com

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Paricutin, the volcano that grew out of a cornfield.

Volcan Paricutin

Paricutin-Mexico’s most famous volcano.
One day in 1943, a farmer in a small village in central Mexico in the state of Michoacan set out to plow his cornfield. It seemed like any ordinary Saturday, the month was February and the skies were clear. The farmer, Dionisio Pulido, was attending his crop of corn when he heard low rumblings emanating from the earth. This in itself was nothing particularly new; indeed, the area in which he lived, just outside the quaint village of Paricutín, had been experiencing small earth temblors for the past 2 months.

Little did he realize that his life was to forever change due to the impending events that would soon unfold. Suddenly and without warning, much to the farmer’s consternation, the earth started to open up before his very eyes. A huge crack appeared in the dirt directly in front of where he stood. Instinctively, Dionisio Pulido attempted to fill the hole with earth. This was to no avail. Soon a terrible odor could be smelt coming from the fissure in the ground, a smell that can only be described as rotten eggs.

Volcan Paricutin

This odor, which was actually sulfur rising from the fissure in the earth, portended more events yet to come. Much to the farmer’s dismay, smoke started billowing out of the ground, the rising gray vapors filled with soot and ash. A terrible heat could be felt rising from the earth’s inner core and wisely, Dionisio Pulido fled the scene. Incredibly, what the farmer was unknowingly witnessing first-hand was the birth of a new volcano. Exhausted from the day’s extraordinary events and with the sun quickly setting in the western sky, Dionisio retreated to his home for the evening.

The next day, Dionisio, along with several others from the village, went out at dawn to examine the location. What they saw both amazed and justifiably terrified them. Rocks were furiously shooting into the sky while the cone of the previously underground volcano now broke through the surface and started growing before their very eyes. Lava started to pour quickly out of the cone’s spout and this was enough to convince the villagers to get away as fast and far as possible. The entire cornfield was soon transformed, its surface filled with molten rock that continued to expand across the landscape.

Two villages were buried by the volcano’s lava and ash, Paricutin and San Juan Parangaricutiro. A striking example of the volcano’s effects can be seen in photos of the church that was buried neck high in San Juan Parangaricutiro. Only the steeple of the church can be seen today with the landscape forever and dramatically altered with acres upon acres of lava rock stretching out in all directions. Incredibly, there were no fatalities from the falling rock or scalding lava, although lightning that accompanied the original event was blamed for 3 deaths.

The former residents of the two villages had to relocate with the memory of that fateful February day forever etched in their memories. What they had witnessed was extraordinary, for what they had observed with their own eyes was the birth of a volcano. The volcano’s cinder cone ultimately reached its full height of 1,391 feet where it stands today. Thankfully, the type of volcano that occurred in Paricutin is classified as monogenetic, meaning that it will never erupt again. In 1952 all activity ceased and it is now considered a dormant volcano.

Volcan Paricutin

Many people come to visit the volcano which is located approximately 200 miles west of Mexico. The city of Uruapan, located 20 miles south of the site, is a good jumping-off point to take a day trip to see the volcano and the surrounding lava fields. It is a good idea to stock up on supplies in this city, especially water. From this city you’ll board a bus to the small village of Angahuan. This small outpost is the closest village to the site and it is here that you can hire a guide for the day. This is highly recommended as the trails are not clearly marked. As well, the option to travel by horseback is available as this adventure will take a full day in any event (14 miles round-trip). Angahuan offers cabins for rent and there is a small cafeteria on the premises. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes as the lava rock can be very slippery and dangerous.

The volcano of Paricutin now bears the honor of being listed as one of the world’s 7 natural wonders. It holds the distinction of being the only volcano on the planet born in modern times. Eruptions from volcanoes are commonplace occurrences but the birth of an entirely new volcano is genuinely rare. MEXonline.com

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Mexican Jarro De Barro

Authentic Mexican Clay Pot

Jarro De Barro

This Jarro De Barro is a clay pot used for cooking authentic Mexican dishes. Beans are a daily Mexican food and they are always cooked in a Jarro. Never ever ever will you see beans in Mexico cooked on anything else.

Barro literally means “mud” but generally means “clay,” and olla means “pot.” Ollas are large, deep clay pots perfect for simmering beans, stews and soups. The clay heats evenly and is perfect for all-day cooking over a direct flame. The clay can be fragile and sensitive to quick temperature changes. Cooking in the clay pots imparts an earthy flavor to the dish.

Casuela De Barro

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Hola.  Are you planning to visit Mexico?  I’ve decided to post an outside article because of its good and useful information.  Enjoy!

Do I need to have a passport?
Starting January 27, 2007, the U.S. State Department will require a passport for all travel to and from Mexico by AIRLINE. If traveling on foot, by car or boat, including cruise ship or ferry, the passport requirement will not come into effect until after January 2008.
At present, the Government of Mexico requires that all U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship and photo identification for entry into Mexico, such as a combination of a birth certificate and driver’s license. However, some U.S. citizens have encountered difficulty in boarding flights in Mexico without a passport.
Get the latest information about Visas and Passports here.

What do I need to enter Mexico?
This depends on which country in which your visit originates. If you are from the U.S. or Canada, you will need your passport or notarized birth certificate with state issued ID. You will also need a tourist card unless you are traveling for less than 72 hours within the border zone (usually no further than 20 miles south of the U.S. border except in Baja California and Sonora which have extended their zones). If you are from any other country, you will need to check with the Mexican Embassy or Consulate nearest you (the New York Consulate has a detailed list of requirements on their website). See our Visa Information Center for compete information about entry requirements.

Do I need auto insurance?
It is highly recommended to have auto insurance before you enter Mexico. The law in Mexico does not specifically require you to have auto insurance to drive in Mexico, until you get into an accident. Then you will need to prove you have MEXICAN auto insurance, as Mexico does not recognize foreign insurance. Without insurance you will be taken to jail first to determine your guilt or innocence, your financial ability to pay damages, the amount of damages you’ll need to pay, etc. It’s a major hassle that can be avoided by paying for relatively inexpensive insurance, and you can even add legal services to your policy to have a lawyer represent you while in Mexico. See Mexico Car & Health Insurance and Legal Services for more details.

Can I bring my pet into Mexico?
Yes you can. You’ll need to make sure you pet has documentation of recent rabbies shots, and be sure to have a Certificate of Good Health from your Vet to make sure you don’t have any problems getting back into the US with your pet. See Bringing Your Pet Into Mexico for more details.

Can I purchase prescription drugs in Mexico and bring them back into the United States?
There are regulations for bringing in pharmaceuticals from Mexico, however they are changing on a constant basis. Although many drugs in Mexico are available over the counter at a pharmacy, certain prescription drugs in Mexico do require a prescription from a Mexican pharmacist, and foreigners have been known to purchase them from people not authorized to issue them. You can be arrested in Mexico if caught buying drugs without the proper prescription and the penalties are stiff, up to 25 years in jail in Mexico.

According to the U.S. Customs, to bring back prescription drugs into the U.S. you must have a prescription written by a physician licensed in the United States, have it in its original packaging and carry no more than a three-month supply AND you must declare them. If you are caught trying to bring in drugs without the above requirements you can be stopped, have your good confiscated and may be arrested.

Visit our Purchasing Medications in Mexico page for additional information.

Can foreigners purchase land/real estate in Mexico?
Yes, with some limitations. In the “restricted zone” along the coast or borders, you can purchase land or property through a trust called a Fideicomiso, which is held by a bank in Mexico for up to 50 years and can be renewed and passed on to heirs. Property in the interior may be purchased “fee simple”, meaning you get the title direct. When dealing with real estate, always cross-check everything to make sure the property and owners are legitimate, and there is clear title. Seeing a real estate agent, lawyer, escrow service, notary, bank officials, etc. are all part of the process. Do your research.

What is the drinking age in Mexico?
Eighteen (18) for all citizens and visitors to Mexico. You must have valid ID in the form of a passport or driver’s license. Mexico has strict laws about drinking in public and public drunkeness, so don’t use the lower drinking age as an excuse to forget your common sense.

To get answers to a specific question you may have, please visit our Message Board, where you can get post your message and have hundreds of other online members help you out. Those questions that get asked often are then included into this FAQ list.

MEXonline.com

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Mexican Volcano Popocatepetl

As requested, I am re-posting this article. It has a beautiful romantic theme that is perfect for the month of February.

The legendary Mexican Volcano’s ‘Popocatepetl’ and Iztaccihuatl with their towering white peaks of snow can be seen on a clear day from the great metropolis of Mexico City. Mexico’s Popocateptl Volcano is a steep volcanic cone located about 45 miles southeast of Mexico City and rises beyond 17,000 feet in elevation. This majestic mountain is breathtaking to the viewers sight and is snow capped year round. Popocateptl Volcano has captured peoples’ imaginations throughout the ages and has a story that reaches back into the mists of time. Next to the Popocateptl Volcano is the Iztaccihuatl Volcano. Iztaccihuatl meaning, “white woman” in Nahuatl. This mountain actually has four peaks, the tallest reaches 17,158 feet and many see the silhouette as resembling that of a sleeping woman.

Iztaccihuatl Volcano is located next to the Popocateptl Volcano. Speaking geographically, these two volcanoes represent the second and third highest mountains in Mexico. Iztaccihuatl is an extinct volcano. Popocatepetl is still active having spewed smoke and ash as recently as 2001. Popocateptl means “Smoking Mountain” in the Nahuatl language. As Aztec mythology has it, Popocateptl and Iztaccihuatl were once humans who were deeply in love. The legend is about two star-crossed lovers, the young brave warrior Popocatepetl and the princess Iztaccihuatl. Iztaccihuatl’s father who was a mighty ruler, placed a demand on Popocatepetl before he could take Iztaccihuatl as his bride. He required that Popocatepetl first engage in a battle against the tribes enemy and return victorious. Some variations of this legend include the stipulation that Popocatepetl must return with the enemys’ head as proof of his success. Story has it that Popocatepetl went off for war with.

Iztacclhuatl waiting for her beloveds’ return. Popocatepetl won the battle and was ready to return to Iztacchuatle when word reached the ruler that the warrior had been slain. Upon hearing the false news, the princess, Iztaccihuatl falls ill and succumbs to her deep sorrow, dying of a broken heart. When Popocatepetl returns to his people with triumph, he encounters his beloveds’ death and he is heartbroken and inconsolable.

Popocateptl carries Iztaccihuatl’s body to the mountains where he has a funeral pyre built for his princess and himself. Grief stricken, he dies next to his beloved. The Gods, touched by the plight of the lovers, turns the humans into mountains so that they can finally be together. Today, they remain with Popocatepetl residing over his princess Iztacclhuatl. On occasion, Popo will spew ash, reminding everyone watching that he is always in attendance and that he will never leave the side of his beloved Izta.

Volcanos Popocaterple and Iztaccihuatle continue being one of Mexico’s most popular tourist sights.

Volcano Iztaccihuatl

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