Cascarones are hollowed out chicken eggs that are filled with confetti. Sometimes they may even contain small coins or toys. The name cascarones is the plural form of “cáscara,” which means shell in Spanish. They are a popular tradition found throughout Mexico during carnival, a celebration that occurs 47 days before Easter. In addition, Cascarones are popular in Mexican-American border towns during Easter. They may also be included […]
Read moreReggaeton is a popular style of Latin urban music that had its origins in Puerto Rico during the early 1990s. It was influenced by dancehall music and American hip-hop as well as Caribbean music. This type of music features both rapping and singing mainly in Spanish. Reggaeton features a special dembow rhythm beat first produced in Jamaica in the 1980s and the […]
Read moreThe Taíno were a group of indigenous people that lived in the Caribbean before contact with the Europeans. The name Taíno translates as ‘men of the good.’ They were the largest group of inhabitants on the islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. The Taíno were the first group to make contact with Christopher Columbus when he […]
Read moreThe Mexican movement for independence from Spain was inspired by the American and French revolutions of the late 18th century. Spain had been governing the territory now known as Mexico for over 300 years, but by the early 1800s many of the educated elite that were born in Mexico no longer felt the same loyalty to the Spanish crown, resulting in […]
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The llama is a domesticated animal that has played an important role in South American culture for thousands of years. Pre-Columbian indigenous cultures used their soft wool to make clothing especially in Peru. The clothing worn by the indigenous populations features geometric patterns and beautiful vibrant colors. The clothing also often shows the village people come from. Ponchos, blankets and […]
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Alebrijes are a popular type of Mexican folk art that made out of papier-mâché, wood and harder carton materials that feature mythical creatures. They are very popular in Oaxaca, a region on the West Coast, that has long been known for it’s amazing art scene. This area produces a special type of alebrije made out of the local copal tree, which is said to have […]
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The Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. It is approximately 10,000 km² or 4000 mi.² in size. It is found in the southwest of Bolivia at 12,000 feet above sea level. Bolivia is a landlocked country located in south America. Bolivia has approximately 11,000,000 people and is a pluralistic society. There are people of Spanish, African and Asian descent as well as the local indigenous and mestizo population. The Salar de Uyuni is one of Bolivia’s most popular tourist destinations.
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The image of La Catrina can be seen all over Mexico in particular during the festivities of Day of the dead. She takes the form of an elegantly dressed Lady from the turn of the 20thCentury. She wears one of the enormous hats that were in fashion at the time including a large feather but her face is that of a grinning skeleton.
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The flag of Mexico was developed in 1821, the year in which Mexico became independent from Spain. The flag has changed several times since 1821, with the most recent design adopted in 1968. From the beginning it has presented three vertical stripes in green, white and red, since these were the colors of the National Liberation Army of Mexico. In addition, there is the symbol of an eagle that appears in the middle in the white stripe.
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Paella is a popular dish of the Valencia region in Spain. Although it has ancient roots, its modern version was created in the mid-nineteenth century.
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