Mexican Independence is commemorated each year with a two-day celebration beginning on the night of September 15th with the ringing of the bells in Mexico City's Zocalo. This blog will tell you part of the historical context and the most significant traditions of this important date.

National Holidays

Melodious bells flood the streets of the country's capital while the president of Mexico makes the renowned libertarian shout in the zócalo, naming each of the country's heroes. The crowd of spectators enthusiastically responds, "¡Viva!". This patriotic event is broadcasted nationwide and recreated in all states of the republic.

Thousands of families gather in the squares of the municipal palaces to hear the shout and enjoy the fireworks that soar through the skies. Later they go to restaurants, bars, or their homes to toast with mezcal or tequila. Not without first enjoying a very Mexican feast accompanied by mariachi or banda music. 

The next day the military parade is held where the armed forces of the nation, the National Guard, and the Secretary of the Navy participate, presenting land and air artillery. Cadets and officers march through the streets of Mexico City, led by the national escort, waving the Mexican flag.

Traditional food

Colorful ingredients such as purple onion, avocado, green, orange, red chilies, and different types of corn cannot be missing from the shopping list of Mexican families to celebrate September 15. Food is a central point of any meeting, and the celebration of Independence is no exception.

In the country's north, goat meat could not be left out of the list. It is grilled and served with spicy sauce and vegetable skewers. In the state of Jalisco, tortas ahogadas are an iconic dish. They are stuffed with meat and bathed in hot sauce. Of course, served with a shot of tequila añejo. Returning to central Mexico, the pozole and the traditional mole poblano stand out. Mole is the most complex dish in the national cookbook combining ingredients such as chocolate, chili peppers, almonds, walnuts, raisins, cloves, sesame, onion, tomato, and the resulting sauce is served with chicken, hen, or turkey.

The Mexican Sea is extensive, but nothing better than Veracruz to represent its gastronomy with a delicious shrimp cocktail and a Torito, a fruit drink combined with white rum. On the Yucatan peninsula, cochinita tacos are a star dish made with pork marinated in achiote, sour orange juice, salt, and pepper. The secret of this traditional meal is to wrap it in smoked banana leaves and bake it underground, a culinary wonder.

After reading this list of dishes full of personality, there is no doubt why in 2010, Mexican cuisine was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Historical Context of the Independence of Mexico

The War of Independence was a conflict that lasted 11 years. Therefore, there were several stages where different characters marked the leadership to ensure the defeat of the Spanish empire.

The first stage began in the early morning of September 16th, 1810, when priest Miguel Hidalgo gathered all the insurgent militants in the atrium of the Parroquia de Dolores in Guanajuato. With his famous banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe, he gave "El Grito de Dolores," thus initiating the armed revolts that gave way to the Independence of Mexico. On this night, the bells rang were the iconic call that gave courage to those who wanted freedom from the Spanish yoke.

Thanks to these events, and in commemoration of all Independence heroes, Mexico City cathedral's bells ring out, followed by the traditional cry: Long live Mexico! 

The objective of this movement that involved armed and social conflicts was to free itself from the Spanish mandate, ending the viceregal government that the Spanish crown imposed on New Spain, the name as Mexico was known.

The war began with the Insurgent Group that was made up of the people: Creoles, Indians, Mestizos, and people of the castes that numbered just over one hundred thousand men and, due to their condition, had no experience in military strategies. They bravely faced the Royalist Army, Viceroy Venegas' militia that naturally had better training and better weapons. By October of that year, the Insurgent Group had already won some battles in Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, Valladolid, and Guadalajara, which opened a milestone of hope for the Mexican people.

During the second stage, from 1811 to 1813, the renowned priest, military man, and politician José María Morelos y Pavón entered the scene, who with his experience ensured several triumphs for the insurgents in Cuautla, Morelos, Acapulco and Chilpancingo, where the first Congress of Anahuac originated, which is where he presents his recognized document "Feelings of the nation" that raised the 26 requirements for which the insurgent people had fought, among them it was proclaimed that:

- America is free and independent from Spain and from every other nation.
 - Sovereignty rests with the people.
 - The government fell to a representative authority with its distribution in three powers: Legislative, Executive and Judicial.
 - The Catholic Religion was recognized as the only one in the territory.
 - It is commemorated on September 16 as a national holiday to recognize the heroism of those who marked the beginning of the Independence movement together with the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, and his captains Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama.

After presenting the Sentiments of the Nation, it would be believed that Mexico was finally taking order, but we could not be more wrong. The third stage begins with the execution of the "Servant of the Nation ", better known as José María Morelos y Pavón, leaving the insurgent army largely helpless. Act that the Spanish task took advantage of, to take advantage of the command of the imposing General Félix María Calleja who managed to recover the offensive. It was thanks to a few parties that the insurgents got together with Vicente Guerrero in the south that the struggle for Independence remained standing.

It was not until February 1821 that the "Plan of Iguala" was signed, in which national sovereignty was proclaimed, marking the beginning of the last stage of the war that would culminate when the Trigarante Army, under the command of the former royalist Agustín de Iturbide, enters triumphantly with Vicente Guerrero in the Zócalo of Mexico City.

Celebration at Seadust Cancun Family Resort

Celebrating Mexican culture is Seadust Cancun’s specialty, its corridors are illuminated with colourful decorations, Mexican music, and a true feast of traditional gastronomy at the Food Gallery buffet including the most iconic dishes to celebrate the Independence of Mexico such as pozole, carnitas, tortas drowned, mole, cocktails, and tacos among many more.

At the Mexican Restaurant, El Maguey, you can taste incredible Mexican signature cuisine year-round with emblematic dishes such as baja-style tacos, mole manchamantel, and the traditional Xochitl soup. In addition, in the restaurant's colourful bar you will find unique drinks with regional ingredients such as mezcal, sour orange and cocoa.

Guests of all nationalities can embrace the enchanting tradition of celebrating Mexico's Independence and participate in fun activities such as breaking the piñata, playing the Lottery, dancing salsa, admiring folk dance performances, and at nightfall shouting at the top of their lungs: “¡Viva Mexico!".

REFERENCES

https://www.milenio.com/cultura/independencia-mexico-lucha-independentista-paso-paso

https://www.oaxaca.gob.mx/segego/2020/09/15/ccx-aniversario-del-inicio-de-independencia-de-mexico/

https://www.gob.mx/siap/articulos/15-de-septiembre-el-grito-de-independencia?idiom=es

https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/jamaica/images/pdf/gastronomia.pdf