Culture

  • 156 – Semana Santa y Pascua al Estilo Mexicano | Holy Week and Easter’s the Mexican Style

    Join us as we explore the vibrant celebrations of Holy Week, Easter, and Lent in Mexico. We’ll uncover the religious origins and share how these traditions merged with indigenous customs during the colonial era. Discover with us the captivating processions, reenactments, beautiful sawdust and flower carpets, and traditional dances that enrich these festivities. And of course, we can’t leave out the food! Come along and dive into Mexico’s rich history and traditions during this special time of year with us!

  • 141 – Villancicos Navideños | Christmas Carols

    In this episode of the podcast, we take a look at the importance of Spanish Christmas carols and some notable examples of these songs. By listening to popular carols such as “Campana sobre Campana” or “Los Peces en el Rio” you’ll not only pick up useful vocabulary but also gain insight into the history and culture of Spanish-speaking countries.

  • 138 – Las Mañanitas | The Little Mornings

    If you want to fit in at a Mexican birthday party, there are a few things you need to know. One is the “mordida,” another is the piñata chant, and perhaps the most important is the traditional Mexican birthday song! In this episode, we share the lyrics and the meaning behind this unique song so that you can be prepared the next time you’re at a Mexican birthday party.

  • 136 – Xoloitzcuintle, Perro Sagrado | Xoloitzcuintle, Sacred Dog

    Hairless dogs aren’t often people’s first choice when adopting a new pet, but to the Aztecs, a curious breed of canine helped them cross into the underworld. In this episode, we explore the topic of the Xoloitzcuintle; the curious Mexican hairless dog breed with a fascinating history.

  • 134 – El Tejate: Bebida de los Dioses | Tejate: Beverage of the Gods

    Mexico is rich in pre-hispanic traditions that you can still experience to this day. One of our favorites is a beverage you can taste in Oaxaca called “tejate.” This delicious corn and cacao-based drink has been used to help energize people for hundreds of years. Find out more in this episode where we interview doña Lucrecia, maker of some of the best tejate in Oaxaca.

  • 131 – Cultura y Chocolate con Ervit de Chimalapa | Culture and Cacao with Ervit from Chimalapa

    For most, chocolate is a sweet made for enjoying as a dessert or in a candy. But for some communities in Oaxaca, it’s a cultural tradition passed down from generation to generation, where even the question “when are we going to drink chocolate” has a deeper meaning. Find out what cacao and chocolate means to Ervit from Chimalapa Cacao con Origin in this interview.