15 Objects and Traditions That Look Like Mexican Culture, But Aren’t

It is very common for people to feel proud of the cultural characteristics of their country. However, many people don’t know that some of the customs we follow are a mixture of other cultures. And it is precisely this mixture that makes the study of culture and traditions even more beautiful and interesting.

Today the incredible.club wants to share some examples of objects and traditions that exist in Mexico, but that do not have a Mexican origin.

Almost every Mexican has tasted horgeta water, but the recipes are not always the same. However, it is important to know that this drink does not originate from Mexico; it comes from a Spanish recipe, more specifically from the Valencian tradition.

Talavera poblana was not born in Mexico, but in Talavera de la Reina, Spain. However, if we look for the origin of this form of handicraft, we could say that it is even older, since it dates back to Arab cities, such as Baghdad.

You tacos al pastor are very well known in Mexico, but they also do not originate from the country. In fact, they are inspired by Lebanese food, in particular the shawarma🇧🇷 What changes is the inclusion of vegetables, the use of pork instead of lamb and the controversial pineapple.

O mariachi as we know it is totally Mexican, but the origin of the word has several versions. One of them states that they were groups that performed mainly at weddings. After the French intervention, they were called marriage (marriage, in French). Over time, the term has evolved to become mariachi🇧🇷

Fights in Mexico are almost obligatory attractions for tourists. They are practiced in many countries and are believed to have entered Mexico during the French intervention as part of a circus show.

There are many recipes with tamarind that make us think of Mexico, including sweets, juices, popsicles and much more. However, this exotic plant originates from Africa.

The sweet has Arabic origins and when it arrived in Spain it was made with almonds. The Mexican version is made with peanuts and is not even 100 years old. That is, it is much younger than the original candy.

This is a case very similar to the previous one. Although in pre-Hispanic cuisine there were buñuelos, they were made from corn or beans. O buñuelo of wheat is a very old recipe from Mediterranean cuisine that dates back to the second century before Christ.

For Spanish cuisine, the consumption of churros has a tradition that goes back to the Arab invasion. In Catalonia, it has been consumed since the 19th century.

Its origin refers to Saturnalia, a Roman festival celebrated on the winter solstice. According to tradition, people should put chocolates or dolls inside the candy and the person who finds it will be lucky. But there is also a tradition of putting a dried fava in a piece and whoever finds it must pay for the candy.

Jamaica water is also known as hibiscus tea and has African origin, more precisely in West Africa. It was taken to many territories in America, including Mexico.

Cocoa is Mexican, but the way it was consumed was quite different and included water and pepper. It is important to mention that there were no cows in Mexico until after the conquest. Solid chocolate, in bars and desserts, originated in Europe around the 16th century. The most curious thing is that before being considered a sweet, it was used by medicine and sold in pharmacies.

The origin of the network is very controversial. Although the meaning of the word in Spanish, “hamaca”, is “fisherman’s net”, it had already been registered in a painting from the Middle Ages, in Europe. But it is not Mexican, although in Merida it is sold as local crafts.

The word is of Arabic origin and means “hammer”. However, it is an instrument that can be found in many cultures, including Chinese and Roman. It arrived in Mexico with the Spaniards, who inherited it from the Arab tradition.

It is not an object, but it is a very important figure for Mexicans. Although this beloved character has American origins (he was born in the United States), he also has Mexican nationality.

Do you know of any other traditions that people think are Mexican but come from another country? What most catches your attention in the culture of Mexico? Tell in the comments.