We'll jump in the ring with the luchadores, hear what the mariachi bands tell us about Mexican culture , let Latin dances teach us the rhythm of the country, and also take a look at the darker aspects of Mexican culture. What do Mexicans think of cockfights and how do they feel about bullfights? We also go into one of the most important festivals in the country: the Day of the Dead.
Lucha Libre - the masked heroes of Mexico
Lucha Libre is a popular sport in Mexico, comparable to wrestling, which has become known worldwide in the USA through celebrities like Hulk Hogan or the Undertaker. The fighters, called luchadores, wear colorful masks and compete against each other in choreographed matches. One of the fighters usually takes on the role of the evil Rudos and the other plays the good Técnico.
The Mexican Enrique Ugartechea is considered the forefather of the sport. He established the style of wrestling known today as Lucha Libre in the 1960s, which differs significantly from American wrestling. Luchadores are known for their breakneck leaps around the ring, which are met with thunderous applause from the fans, who happily cherish their heroes' victories with a glass of mezcal after the matches. If the favorite loses, there's probably also a sip of the popular agave schnapps , because as the Mexicans say: For everything that's good: Mezcal. Likewise for everything that is bad. The national drink of the Mexicans, which you can also get in our shop, also has a leading role in the song "Copitos de Mezcal" by the famous mariachi Antonio Aguilar. Where the guitars of the mariachi bands ring out, the cult drink is often not far away.
The Mexican Enrique Ugartechea is considered the forefather of the sport. He established the style of wrestling known today as Lucha Libre in the 1960s, which differs significantly from American wrestling. Luchadores are known for their breakneck leaps around the ring, which are met with thunderous applause from the fans, who happily cherish their heroes' victories with a glass of mezcal after the matches. If the favorite loses, there's probably also a sip of the popular agave schnapps , because as the Mexicans say: For everything that's good: Mezcal. Likewise for everything that is bad. The national drink of the Mexicans, which you can also get in our shop, also has a leading role in the song "Copitos de Mezcal" by the famous mariachi Antonio Aguilar. Where the guitars of the mariachi bands ring out, the cult drink is often not far away.
Mariachi - the sound of Mexico
This music is deeply rooted in the culture of Mexico. Accompanied by guitars, the large and bass-heavy guitarrón and violins, the mariachi sing about love, death, long-dead heroes and life in the country. The musicians, often dressed in black and wearing large sombreros, can often be seen at weddings, birthdays and religious festivals in particular. Their uniform goes back to the Charros, the Mexican cowboys of the 19th century. This traditional clothing was also worn by the country's first official police officers. She embodies the perfect man who is an ace at horseback riding, popular with women and a deadly marksman.
While the audience sings along to the well-known songs, a bottle or two of Mezcal is passed around. However, the musicians concentrate entirely on their repertoire, which often includes hundreds of folk songs. It is not uncommon for them to dance the zapateado, a dance in which the musicians pound their boots on the floor in a fast rhythm to accompany the music. Dance is the true elixir of life for Mexicans anyway.
While the audience sings along to the well-known songs, a bottle or two of Mezcal is passed around. However, the musicians concentrate entirely on their repertoire, which often includes hundreds of folk songs. It is not uncommon for them to dance the zapateado, a dance in which the musicians pound their boots on the floor in a fast rhythm to accompany the music. Dance is the true elixir of life for Mexicans anyway.
Tres Hermanas - sustainable farming according to the principle of the three sisters
Res Hermanas, also known as "The Three Sisters," is a traditional farming method in Mexico that uses agave plants to make mezcal . This method involves growing corn, squash, and climbing beans together in a symbiotic relationship to improve soil fertility and reduce pressure from pests and diseases.
The corn acts as support for the beans, the beans fix nitrogen and stabilize the corn, and the squash provides shade for the soil. Tres Hermanas supports not only the high quality of the agave plants for mezcal production, but also sustainable and traditional farming methods by reducing the risk of crop failure and improving yields. In addition, it honors the cultural heritage of the indigenous communities in Mexico.
Día de los Muertos - Day of the Dead in Mexico
Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico every year from November 1st to 2nd. The preparations usually start as early as October 31st and even earlier depending on the region. Día de los Muertos is a celebration of the return of the dead to earth. Throughout Mexico, skeletons roam the streets and vendors sell tiny colorful calaveras on every corner. These are skulls and they are often made of sugar.
The skeletons are revelers with colorful makeup. Their faces look like ornate skulls, often with a big smile on their teeth. Women wear the flowers of the Cempazúchitl in their hair. These are upright marigolds with large clusters of bright yellow flowers. The Day of the Dead is not a celebration of mourning in Mexico. Mexicans remember deceased friends, family members and partners with a lot of joy and humor. They tell each other funny anecdotes and keep the memories of the deceased alive. You drink spicy Mezcals together, like you can find in our shop . Celebration and death are not far apart in Mexico. This is also proven by the popular cockfights and bullfights.
The skeletons are revelers with colorful makeup. Their faces look like ornate skulls, often with a big smile on their teeth. Women wear the flowers of the Cempazúchitl in their hair. These are upright marigolds with large clusters of bright yellow flowers. The Day of the Dead is not a celebration of mourning in Mexico. Mexicans remember deceased friends, family members and partners with a lot of joy and humor. They tell each other funny anecdotes and keep the memories of the deceased alive. You drink spicy Mezcals together, like you can find in our shop . Celebration and death are not far apart in Mexico. This is also proven by the popular cockfights and bullfights.
Corrida de Toros - Bullfighting in Mexico
Bullfighting is a dance with death. It's a macabre sport that still has many followers. Like so many other things, the Spaniards brought this spectacle to Latin America. What looks from the outside like mere tormenting an animal is a sport with many rules, and its players are celebrated like heroes.
The fight is divided into three sections called tercios. At the beginning matador and bull meet. They are joined by picadores, horsemen armed with spears. The bull is provoked into attacking the horses. The riders respond to these attacks with a spear thrust. The audience is supposed to see how strong the bull is in this phase before more spears are thrown at him in the second part of the fight. These so-called banderillas are equipped with barbs and get stuck in the back of the animal. If the bull is weak enough, the president - a kind of referee - will start the final. Now matador and bull are alone again.
Armed only with a sword and his muleta (a small red cloth), the matador confronts the bull and challenges it to attack. The matador's skilful dodging is a dance of traditional movements that are performed until the bull is completely exhausted. At the end, the matador attempts to ram his sword through the shoulder into the bull's heart, rarely resulting in a quick death.
The sport has many critics and is also becoming rarer in Mexico. Bullfighting is already banned in many cities across the country. Ditto for the similarly cruel South American cockfight.
The fight is divided into three sections called tercios. At the beginning matador and bull meet. They are joined by picadores, horsemen armed with spears. The bull is provoked into attacking the horses. The riders respond to these attacks with a spear thrust. The audience is supposed to see how strong the bull is in this phase before more spears are thrown at him in the second part of the fight. These so-called banderillas are equipped with barbs and get stuck in the back of the animal. If the bull is weak enough, the president - a kind of referee - will start the final. Now matador and bull are alone again.
Armed only with a sword and his muleta (a small red cloth), the matador confronts the bull and challenges it to attack. The matador's skilful dodging is a dance of traditional movements that are performed until the bull is completely exhausted. At the end, the matador attempts to ram his sword through the shoulder into the bull's heart, rarely resulting in a quick death.
The sport has many critics and is also becoming rarer in Mexico. Bullfighting is already banned in many cities across the country. Ditto for the similarly cruel South American cockfight.
Corrida de Gallos - South American cockfighting
While cockfighting is banned in Mexico City, Sonora, and other parts of Mexico, numerous other states still allow it. For many Mexicans, the corridas are an important pastime. With beer and mezcal, they crowd around the wooden walls that make up the ring and bet on the roosters. They usually fight for life and death, and it is not uncommon for the victor to later succumb to his injuries. Only the owners of the roosters who invest a lot of money so that their roosters can compete in the Palenque win. Mexico's national drink also flows here, because: For everything that's good: Mezcal . Likewise for everything that is bad.
