Have you ever heard someone say, “we are all Latinos, but we are not the same”? In the United States, people tend to think of Latinos as a homogeneous group made up of people with similar origins and cultural values who speak the same language. The truth is that according to the Pew Research Center in the United States there are more than 50 millions of people who identify as Hispanic or Latino, but all from diverse backgrounds.
Many of us share a common cultural background such as Latinos, but to say that we are all the same would be like assuming that all whites, or all Asians, or other cultures are all the same; but in reality we all have different nuances. And we celebrate that!
Learn how some cultures celebrate their individuality in this country
Mexican culture:
Food is an important cultural element for Mexicans. It has both religious and philosophical significance. Mexican cuisine consists of spicy foods and is known for the diversity of corn, chili peppers and beans, any state you go where there is a high volume of Mexicans, you will enjoy these delicacies. Music is also for Mexicans a large part of their identity. Mariachi music is the most representative traditional genre of this culture. This music is played at weddings, parties of 15 years of girls (quinceañeras) and Mother’s Day mainly.
Puerto Rican Culture:
Traditional dishes such as cakes (banana), mofongo, asopao or tostones may be considered exotic for other cultures, but for Puerto Ricans traditional dishes like these are everyday food and cannot be missing from the table in any part of the world that be found. Its ingredients and recipes reflect part of Puerto Rican culinary history and the cultures that have shaped it. Plus, many of them are absolutely delicious and a great way to get a taste of Puerto Rican life. Parrandas and trullas at Christmas are other ways in which Puerto Ricans celebrate their cultural individuality both on the island and in this country. The custom is a bit similar to Christmas carols in other countries, but with instruments like the tambora and surprise appearances at the homes of friends and family at any time of the night they make it different. During the parties they wake up the resident of the house they are visiting late at night, and they make so much noise that the neighbors wake up too. After singing the Christmas songs, the people of the party spend some time in the house they have visited and, sometimes, they even eat together a good asopao’ prepared by the person who was given the party.
Colombian culture:
The Colombian culture inside and outside the country always has a traditional grandmother’s remedy at hand. This means that there is a cure for every ailment they have. The most beloved Colombian custom of all is aguapanela (made from concentrated cane syrup) which is the favorite tradition of every Colombian grandmother when it comes to curing a cold, sore throat or a strong attack of sadness. They share these remedies and customs with their entire family and neighbors, keeping the tradition alive even if they are in the United States. Why go to a hospital right, if you have grandmother’s remedies at home?! Colombians are also famous in the United States for celebrating their identity and expressing their emotions through dance. For every occasion, from family reunions to the moments when the national soccer team manifests itself on the world stage, they celebrate it with music, dance, and passion. From a few steps from the Colombian world playing salsa or cumbia, to a fast vallenato or even joropo, because Colombian culture really offers a rhythm for every moment.
And how do you celebrate your cultural individuality in the United States? Celebrate your culture!