A mixture of cultural tradition and colonization

Beautiful colours, traditional dress, modern music and pierced lips. Hand made tortillas beside packaged brand named items. A piece of the past mixed with the present. The integration of traditional culture and colonialism.

As Loyalist College International Support Worker students spent the second day of their five-week experiential learning venture exploring the streets of San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, they were told to be cautious, blend in and pay attention to detail. As with any new culture it is important to take sufficient time to observe and absorb the culture and what is going on around you. Pay attention to small detail and notice differences and similarities within the culture itself.

Students were divided into small groups of three, given a basis map and a check-list of locations and off they went. Students ventured slowly, took their time and engaged with locals to gain a deeper insight and understanding of the dynamics and complexity of the Mexican culture.

During the students debrief many important issues were discussed. Students recognized more than the obvious cultural differences such as food, dress, architecture and road rules. They noted the different colours of dress within the different indigenous groups, recognized the differences in the roles played by children in the South compared to the North, the level of religious value and influence within the culture and signs of imperial capitalism with a traditional twist.

“The thing that gets me is the amount of recognition for the Virgin of Guadalupe,” says Caila Widdifield, graduate of the developmental service worker program at Loyalist College and current ISW student in Chiapas, Mexico. “It is incredible how much respect they have when only one person witnessed this miracle, yet the vast of the culture is based on this. Doesn’t matter what generation you are or who you are, mestizo or indigenous, old or young. [The Virgin of Guadalupe] has influenced a lot of people and it isn’t just one area, it is across Mexico.”

As referenced by ISW professor Kate Rogers, many people believe Mexico is very much a Catholic nation, however, if you ask most Mexican’s they would say their country is very much Guadelupian. Jesus Christ is still very much a part of the Mexican culture and honoured within active religions but is focused on the Virgin of Guadalupe and Jesus’ is credited based on the fact that people believe him to be the son of this marvelous women saint.

Within the student debrief, the idea of ‘Guadelupianism’ was explored as an example of cultural tradition mixed with colonialism. The people of Mexico were conquered by the Spanish and deemed a Catholic nation but were still able to identify with something unique that they believed in and held true value towards.

The Virign of Guadalupe was a dark skin women who called herself the reincarnation of Virgin Mary. Guadaupe said we are all people of God and she had come for the poor people. Many believe the whole idea of the Virgin of Guadalupe was a scam for the Bishop and Mexican leaders to regain power as the Catholic church was failing. Either way, neither have been proved and for many, it no longer matters.

“When you think about the destruction left behind from colonialism; it robbed indigenous people of their identity and when Guadalupe came forward… [it was] a reclamation of the identity of the Mexican people that colonialism had stripped them of,” says Heather Barker, current ISW student with years of experience working in harm reduction and community development in the Belleville and Brampton communities. “This is a way of finding joy and identity within colonialism and it is in a sense, allowing them to take their power back.”

As ISW students continue their learning journey over the next five weeks they will be exploring different aspects of Mexican culture and will be exposed to the true complexities of the cultures existence. As they have already learned the answers to many questions are complex and a culture cannot be fully understood in a day, a week, a month or sometimes even a lifetime. The idea is to open your mind to new ideas and the possibility of things that are different and to gain new insight and viewpoints to international issues.