Figure 1.--This photograph was taken in Juchitán de Zaragoza, Oaxaca (southern Mexico). Itb is a realtivly modern image (1986). The photo was taken during the traditional family celebration after a family daeth. Celerationms are held after a prson dies for nine days after their death. These celebrations are a mixture of Christian and Zapotec traditions. The teenager looks like a 'muxe', who in Zapotec culture are men taking on a feminine appearance and having a social and even religious role in traditional rituals.

Of great interest are the Amer-Indian religions. https://www.histclo.com/country/la/reg/la/nar/nar-emp.htmlMexico, namely Meso-America, was a hot-point for the development of religious beliefs--a kind of Latin America Holy Land--like Palestine. This suggests a mother culture--probablt the Olmecs. We address religion in our Aztec and Maya sections. There of course were countless other Amer-Indian peoples, but most share many of the same core beliefs. These relogions, including the sculptures, relious texts and organized practice was supressed by the Spanish. But the deeply held cultural idea have persisted even in Mestizo culture. We note celebrations that are a mixture of Christian and Amer-Indian traditions. Here we see a young teenager who looks like a 'muxe'. For the Zapotec, this is a man taking on a feminine appearance and having a social and even religious role in traditional rituals. Most Amerricans today are familiar with Cinco de Mayo, but the most authentcally Mexicans od all of the county's holidays is the day of the Dead--Dia de los Muertos. It is tradiionally celbrated on November 1 and 2, although there are regional differences. Family and friends gathering to offer respects and remember lostfriends and family members. It is not a sid time because the ememberances can recall amusing events and anecdotes about the loved ones who have passed. The observance falls during Chtistain Allhallowtide. Itis widely believed, however, that there are indigenous Amer-Indian influenes. And as part of the Christainixzation process, Ameri-Indians beliefs were commonlywoven into the Chritian fabric of Mexican socierty, incluing religion.

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Created: 5:15 AM 10/2/2025
Last updated: 5:15 AM 10/2/2025