Cultural Holidays In my Spanish 103 class, I have learned a lot about the Hispanic culture. I have looked at the similarities and differences in Hispanic and US culture. In this essay, I will be seeing the similarities and differences in holidays in each culture. Specifically Christmas, Easter, Holy Week, and specific holidays to each culture. I will show how each culture celebrates it then compare and contrast each holiday. Christmas is a holiday celebrated by most of the world. Christianity is very popular in the US and Hispanic cultures. In the US, Christmas is celebrated with going to Church on Christmas Eve, spending time with their families, and many other things. People also reenact the nativity scene, sing Christmas carols, and do …show more content…
many other things. There is no set traditional activity everyone does on Christmas day in the United States. Some people do not even go to church but just open presents on Christmas day from Santa. Santa is very popular in the US and it is said for people to believe that he delivers presents to the kids every year. In Hispanic cultures, they focus more on the true meaning of what Christmas is really about. This is also true in the US, but it is not as big of a deal in the US for lots of people. The Hispanic culture does a lot of the same activities as we do here in the US, but they also do some different activities. They use fireworks to celebrate, decorate with poinsettia flowers, and write letters to Jesus instead of Santa Claus. Both cultures celebrate Christmas mostly the same way, besides a couple differences. Easter is a very important holiday in both cultures.
Easter is as big of a celebration as Christmas is. Easter in the US, is celebrated by going to church for Holy Thursday and Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and also on Easter Sunday. We recognize what happened each day leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and when he had risen from the dead. Non-religious people in the US only do Easter egg hunts and hunt for candy from the Easter bunny. This is a very common activity practiced on Easter Sunday by most families in America. Just like Christmas, Hispanic cultures really only focus on the real purpose of Holy Week and Easter. Hispanics celebrate Easter by dressing up as creatures and people from brotherhoods, and roam the streets celebrating and devoting their love towards Christ. They also celebrate by burning Judas dolls in the streets, these are made out of straw. Hispanics also go to Church to celebrate these days and to recognize them. Hispanics and the US both celebrate Easter in their own and unique …show more content…
ways. Both the US and Hispanic have their own specific holidays just celebrated inside their cultures.
In the Hispanic culture, The Day of the Dead is a very special holiday celebrated in Hispanic communities. The Day of The Dead is a celebration that last two days. It occurs on November 1 and 2. On November 1, they have a celebration for the young. On November 2, they give honor to family members who have passed away. Traditionally they set up alters in their homes with pictures, candles, foods, and many other decorations. They believe this holiday connects them to their dead ancestors and allows the spirits to be welcomed back. It is one of the biggest celebrations in Hispanic communities and is a very meaningful celebration. One of the specific holidays that is celebrated in the US is called Martian Luther King Jr. Day. This day is in honor of Martian Luther King Jr. and his fight for civil rights. His actions have had a huge impact on America and has become a role model for not only African Americans, but for everyone. He died for fighting for what was right and is honored on this day only in America. Both the Hispanic and US cultures have their own specific holidays only celebrated in these
cultures. Both the Hispanic and US culture celebrate many holidays. They both celebrate many of the same holidays, but in their own and unique way. This is what is beautiful about cultures, how they compare and differ from each other, and how they really show what each culture is about.
Many holidays and traditions are the same in the US and Spanish-speaking countries. The Institute of Language listed New Year as a “Celebration of the beginning of the year”, Easter as
Christmas is a holiday filled with tradition, family, and happiness, but what most people don’t know is that Christmas is celebrated all over the world, not just the United States. Latin American countries are especially passionate about Christmas. The way Hispanic people celebrate changes throughout each country. Each one has its own unique Christmas culture. In this essay I am going to write about some of these different countries, and tell how each one is similar and different in showing their Christmas spirit.
El Dia de los Muertos was brought to the United States when Mexican-Americans underwent a cultural reawakening in the early 1970s. The holiday's popularity has since spread to other races and cultures. The Day of the Dead celebrates life past and present, and not just death alone. Revelers construct ofrendas, the offerings of food, drinks, cigarettes, toys, and candy, set out for returning souls. Revelers take joy in honoring the dead, usually with music, dancing, crafts and food.
I am familiar with both the Mexican culture and the regular American Culture. Those two cultures aren’t alike. Mexicans celebrate different holidays. In American culture, we celebrate 4th of July because of the declaration of independence. But in Mexican culture, we also celebrate Independence Day but on the 16th of September, because we won the war against the Spaniards. Also, in American culture we celebrate the holiday that all kids love, Halloween on October 31st. Halloween is a day to go trick-or-treating and have fun. In Mexico, we celebrate “El Día De Los Muertos “(Day of The Dead) on November 1st. Day of the dead is a day where we remember all the people that have died and that holiday is in honor of them. Mexicans also celebrate “El Día De Los Reyes Magos” also known as “Day Of The Three Wise Men”. This day is celebrated for the day that the three wise men took each 1 gift to the Virgin Mary’s son. Columbus Day is a holiday that is celebrated in both American and Mexican culture. But besides the holidays, Mexican food is different from the all American food that is seen everyday. From pozole, tacos, quesadillas, and so many other foods, the cultures aren’t the same.
Ah Christmas, it is said to be the most wonderful time of the year. In the United States Christmas is a time of giving and receiving, spending time with your family, and in most Christian families, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is hands-down the most highly commercialized holiday celebrated by Americans. In fact, according to CBS news, the average American will spend $700 on gifts this holiday season, totaling for a whopping $465 billion spent nation-wide. From mall Santas as far as the eye can see, to hearing Christmas music in every retail store you enter. Christmas is a time of high spirits and high spending in the U.S.
Compare and Contrast Between Hispanic Culture and American Culture I. Introduction The Hispanic population has experienced incredible growth in the past decade in the United States of America. In 2006 it was estimated that the Hispanics cover 11% of the population in North America. Their origin is in Mexico and the few Spanish speaking countries in the Caribbean. American culture is derived from people who originated from the European nations like Italy and the Great Britain.
Hispanic Americans are one of the biggest culture groups in California. Hispanic Americans have very strong ties when it comes to their culture background and food. Food represents a strong symbol for Hispanic Americans, bringing the family together by providing a plate of rice and tacos with rich protein. Hispanic culture also comes with religious background that calls for time with family and praying a lot to Jesus. In Florida, the Hispanic culture is also major. Especially with the Cuban Americans living in south beach, Miami over more than 75 years. Hispanic American culture has changed Florida in significant ways. What is more, Hispanics have a very beautiful and inspiring way of representing their culture. In Florida, they celebrate national Hispanic heritage month through September 15 to October 15, and this event happens every year. The Hispanics who celebrate this culture, start it by kicking it off with music, dancing and a lot of delicious food from a variety of Hispanic countries. Also, one of the biggest well-known festivals is celebrated during national Hispanic heritage month that goes well throughout Miami and through specific streets like Calle Ocho and three
The hispanic culture has many traditions but another important one is el Día de Reyes and la Rosca de Reyes: It is a Mexican tradition that Mexicans celebrate. This used to be the real Santa Claus at least in Mexico and while kids aren’t complaining about getting gifts from both days, we shouldn't lose the beautiful tradition. Getting the family together to cut the Rosca de Reyes or Three Kings Bread, is a great tradition where if you get the muñequito or Niño Dios, and is found then you have to host a Tamal party on February 2 for the Candelabra.
The Hispanic culture has many various factors, but in order to understand the Hispanic culture one must understand what culture is. According to Jarvis (2000) culture is broken down into four characteristics. Teachings learned from birth through language and socialization. The sharing of these learned practices with individuals of the same group. These ideologies are adapted to current environments and other related factors. Finally, culture is influential and constantly
...that health is a gift from god and should be taken with a great respect. The prevention of illness is an accepted practice that is achieved through prayers. Shrines with statues and pictures of saint are in the homes of many Hispanic. The observable practice is candle lighting, visiting shrines, and offering prayers. They lit candled and recite prayers. In Hispanic family, the adult and children are to come home from school or working place to have a lengthy of time eating together their main meal. The Hispanic American has adopted a three-meal system where the midday and evening meal are important with a light breakfast. When the visitors are around after the meal they may have time to dawdle and talk over coffee or have a drink after dinner. In addition, when another serving is given, the Hispanic tends to accept only after which the second or third time offered.
Secondly, another area that is highly influenced by American society is the religion of the Mexican Americans. Ninety percent of Spanish speaking people are Roman Catholic (C...
The term Hispanic is used to describe Spanish speaking natives. Spanish is one of the fastest expanding languages in the world and accounts for 21 different countries as their official language. About half of Hispanics originate in Mexico, and there is a lot diversity within the 21 Hispanics countries, therefore even their own traditions and heritages will be specific to them. It is also important to remember that most Hispanics do not like to be referred to as Hispanic but instead from where they reside; for example, Mexican American and Puerto Rican. Hispanics are very family oriented and they consider the oldest male to be the figure of authority, although when it comes to important decisions, the whole family contributes. Other important
The customs they learned as kids have been passed on to me. We were always having barbeques in the backyard, Christmas parties, Easter egg hunting, having pan de los muertos on the Day of the Death, and celebrating Mexico’s Independence. Even though we celebrate Mexican holidays we would also celebrate American Holidays like 4th of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Having to celebrate both cultures holidays was a pleasure, because it would give us time to see our family more. Also, we would be able to celebrate some holidays twice like mother's day because in Mexico it was always on the tenth of May and in America it was another
She came to the US because her parents wanted a better life and education for her and her older sisters. The primary cultural differences between American and Mexican society in her opinion is that families are not so open or close to each other. In American parents usually both work, so the children grow lonely not like in Mexico where usually the dad is the only one who works and the mother stay at home with the kids. Also, in America people take things for granted. Mexicans usually are grateful for the things that they have and get. When asked if religion was practiced differently in the US than in was in Mexico, she said that in the US there is more Christians but Catholicism is the same here and in Mexico. She says that it is treated and practiced the same here and there. When she hears the word “American” she thinks of the stereotypical American: tall, white, blue eyed make and for a female a tall, tan model looking
There are approximately 196 countries in the world and almost every single one of them celebrates Christmas differently. Christmas in Mexico (Navidad) is a million times different than the Christmas that we know and celebrate in the U.S. In Mexico there are lots of events that happen before January 6th, which is Epiphany day (The day of the Three Wise Men) also known as “El Dia de los Reyes”. I am will be explaining every all of the events that take place during Christmas (Navidad) all the way up to January 6th.