Your official Artisan Crafts group.
September 16th celebrates the start of Mexico's fight for independence, 205 years ago. It's our most important national holiday (not Cinco de Mayo
), so I wanted to make a special feature for my country. Mexico is a beautiful country, full of honest and hardworking people, sadly vilified by the media even within our own borders. Our culture is bold and colorful, the food is delicious and baroque, there's a lot to love about Mexico! I want to share with you a few Artisan Crafts that I believe represent Mexico in the most authentic way, not the stereotyped way in which it's often pictured. I hope that you'll enjoy this taste of Mexico.To celebrate our independence, families come together on September 15th and enjoy a hearty meal, which usually includes a dish called "pozole", a kind of soup that was prepared by the Aztecs. Every family has their own recipe, but pozole commonly involves a spicy broth made out of 4 different kinds of dry chili peppers, a special corn kernel that is fluffy and savory, and some pork or chicken. Everyone gets a dish to season to taste with lime, dried chili flakes, radish, onion, dried oregano, iceberg lettuce and sometimes some avocado. It's eaten with a side of tostadas (a tortilla that has been baked until it's crisp) and sour cream. It's D-E-L-I-CI-I-O-U-S!!
Pozole represents a lot of our culture: it's rich, colorful, and always over-the-top. Mexico is probably best known for our celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) but I often see it misinterpreted in a gloomy, gothic and dark manner. All the contrary! Like everything we do, our celebration of the dead it's cheerful, humorous and colorful (but I'm saving those crafts for the day itself ).
Jewelry made from seed beads and handcrafted by the huiocholes, an indigenous group that existed long before the Spaniards colonized Mexico. The colors and designs are representative of their culture and traditions.
Our food is the best! I couldn't find any crafts of authentic tacos (no, hardshell tacos are NOT tacos), but I found some beautiful food for you! "Conchas" are a sweet bread/pastry, they consist of a fluffy dough with a flaky frosting, something a bit closer to a crumble. Perfect with hot chocolate.
Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa that includes diced tomato, coriander, onion, chili pepper, lime, some salt and pepper. It's super easy to do! It's also called mexican salsa because it includes the colors of our flag.
La danza de los viejitos (Dance of the old men) is a dance in which four young men dress as old men, including masks and canes. They dance slowly, leaning on their canes, tripping and falling down constantly. After a while they start dancing faster and feeling stronger. It's a very humorous dance to watch, it tries to remind us of the importance and wisdom in old people, while also asking for a good harvest and luck.
Did you know that the only real castle of America is located in Mexico? It even housed an Emperor that reigned briefly, and it was invaded by the USA back in 1847. Meet the Castle of Chapultepec, if you even get a chance to visit it I'm sure you'll agree its beauty rivals the beauty of most European castles.
"Poinsettias" are a symbol of Christmas, well did you know they're Mexican? As well as vanilla beans, avocados, tomatoes, corn, chocolate and more!
Some more crafts that I thought were interesting and beautiful:
).Jewelry made from seed beads and handcrafted by the huiocholes, an indigenous group that existed long before the Spaniards colonized Mexico. The colors and designs are representative of their culture and traditions."Retablo" are niches crafted to celebrate and remember the life of someone who already died. In this case, famous mexican painter Frida Kahlo. They can include photos, small objects and offerings to the dead one.
Some more national idols:
Our food is the best! I couldn't find any crafts of authentic tacos (no, hardshell tacos are NOT tacos), but I found some beautiful food for you! "Conchas" are a sweet bread/pastry, they consist of a fluffy dough with a flaky frosting, something a bit closer to a crumble. Perfect with hot chocolate.
Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa that includes diced tomato, coriander, onion, chili pepper, lime, some salt and pepper. It's super easy to do! It's also called mexican salsa because it includes the colors of our flag.
La danza de los viejitos (Dance of the old men) is a dance in which four young men dress as old men, including masks and canes. They dance slowly, leaning on their canes, tripping and falling down constantly. After a while they start dancing faster and feeling stronger. It's a very humorous dance to watch, it tries to remind us of the importance and wisdom in old people, while also asking for a good harvest and luck.
Did you know that the only real castle of America is located in Mexico? It even housed an Emperor that reigned briefly, and it was invaded by the USA back in 1847. Meet the Castle of Chapultepec, if you even get a chance to visit it I'm sure you'll agree its beauty rivals the beauty of most European castles.
"Poinsettias" are a symbol of Christmas, well did you know they're Mexican? As well as vanilla beans, avocados, tomatoes, corn, chocolate and more!
Some more crafts that I thought were interesting and beautiful:
