The Mexican Culture, Art, Architecture and Literature

The Mexican culture is said to have changed in the 19th and 20th centuries because of many reasons. Some retain their old traditions while others embrace the Western cultures.

In the Spanish-speaking countries, Mexico is the most populous. Their government recognizes the other indigenous languages that are composed of 62 Amerindian languages. The English language have been also borrowed by Mexicans like chocolate, avocado, tomato and coyote. Their religion is Roman Catholic, just like the Philippines, that was under the Spanish regime for quite a long time. Other religions here are Jehova’s Witnesses, Jews, Seventh Day Adventists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), Evangelicals and Protestants. Because of these religions, their culture and values are also formed in parallel.

The Mexican art and craft are inspired by folk art traditions as well as Pre-Columbian art. The famous artists/painters here are many who are also known in the world. And the famous photographers and in the field of photography are Manuel Alvarez Bravo and others. Their music is the influence of the indigenous people living in the country. These are rock, Mariachi, Ranchera, Banda, pop and others. The Mexican architecture is also Pre-Columbian and lately influenced and inspired by European traditions. Others are influenced by Moorish Amerindian, Mesoamerica and others that are divided into pre-classic, classic and post classic architecture.

The Mexican literature outstanding poets and writers are Netzahualcoyott, Sor Juana Ines de la Cru, Juan Ruiz de Alarcon, Ignacio Manuel Altamirano, Alfonso Reyes, Octavio Paz, Jose Joaquin Fernandez de Lizardi, Maruxa Vilalta, Juan Rulfo, Bruno Traven, Renato Leduc and so forth.