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Cinco de Mayo - Do you like a really good party? Well, every May 5, many Latino Americans and citizens of Mexico celebrate a grand event, and they have a party in the process. In 1862, on Cinco de Mayo (that's Spanish for "the fifth of May"), a handful of Mexican troops defeated a much larger and better-armed force of soldiers from France. This victory showed that a small group, strengthened by unity, can overcome overwhelming odds. Ever since, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with music, tasty food, parades, and a party.
Cinco de Mayo - A Celebration of Mexican Heritage - This page from World Book Encyclopedia offers more information on Mexico than it does on Cinco de Mayo. Check out the sections on History of Mexico, Modern Life and Culture in Mexico, and Hispanic Americans and their influences on American culture and politics. There are also interactive quizzes to test your understanding. The site offers links to additional Cinco de Mayo sites.
Day of the Dead - On November 2, Mexicans celebrate the annual Day of the Dead. It's not a sad occasion. They make special foods and prepare a feast to honor their ancestors. They have picnics on their relatives' graves so the dead can join in the festivities, too. One of the special foods is called "Bread of the Dead" ( pan de muerto ). The baker hides a plastic skeleton in each rounded loaf, and it's good luck to bite into the piece with the skeleton! People also give each other candy skeletons, skulls, and other treats with a death design. The holiday has complex social, religious, and cultural meanings. Learn more about this celebration here.
Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos - Learn many of the traditions and rituals surrounding this Mexican holiday, when the dead pay a visit to their old homes and are welcomed with special foods and festivities. This site has a rich section with links to explore, but parents should note that we didn't get to look at all of them.
Embassy of Mexico in Canada - This official home page was under construction when we visited, but we especially liked the Kid's Pages. Learn about the toys and games kids play in Mexico. Ever heard of a pin'ata ? It's a papier-mach figure filled with candies and fruits. The pin'ata is hung over a tree branch, suspended by a rope. Someone holds onto and controls the opposite end of the rope. Blindfolded children take turns swinging at the pin'ata with a stick, but it is pulled out of the way at the last minute. Eventually, someone takes a lucky swing, the pin'ata breaks, and everyone scrambles for the treats. Surprisingly, the pin'ata is thought to have been invented in China, not Mexico. You can learn to make one at this site.
MayaQuest `98 - Who were the Maya, and what happened to their civilization? This site tells you all about the history and cultures of this lost nation. The ancient Maya had an apparently healthy culture from around A.D. 250. They were masters of mathematics, building huge pyramids in the jungles of what is now Mexico and Central America. They had complex astronomical calendars and engineering for improving agriculture. During the ninth century, their civilization collapsed. No one knows exactly where they went or what happened to them. From this site, you can follow an expedition team called MayaQuest, searching the jungle for archaeological answers in 1998, or check the archives available for earlier expeditions.
Mexico Travel - This is the official home page of the Ministry of Tourism. It describes the various states and regions of Mexico, which vary from temperate to torrid as the geography moves from the seaside to the jungle. Mexico has a long prehistory. Its original settlers may have come from Asia, over the Alaskan land bridge. According to this site, Olmec, Toltec, Maya, and Aztec cultures all left their marks on the land: "The architectural remnants of these civilizations can be found in virtually every corner of the country; more than 11,000 archaeological sites are registered." You can also read all about Mexican food and festivals here. And remember, the Mole Festival is not about small rodents. It celebrates mole (pronounced "MOH-lay"), which is "a rich, thick sauce made from various chilies, ground peanuts, spices, sesame seed, and chocolate."
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