By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS During the 300 years of Spanish rule following Hernán Cortés’ conquest of Tenochtitlán in 1521, the people of Mexico suffered the indignities of imported smallpox epidemics, forced labor and imposed religious conversions. The disenfranchised indigenous Mexica, Maya, Zapotec and Toltec civilizations were stripped of their heritage and land, and what properties were not claimed by the viceroys
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By RICARDO CASTILLO Erstwhile Aztec and Spaniards Meet in Court A major political war between the modern conquest version of the Aztec versus the Spaniards is now being wagered in Mexico between conservative and liberal forces. The conflict was sparked by the controversial ruling made by Second District Court for the Administration, Economic Competency and Broadcast Services for Mexico City
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By RICARDO CASTILLO As someone who was raised and educated in accordance with a Christian way of thought, the meaning of Christmas this year poses a challenging prospect for celebrating, mainly because Christianism – as it is practiced today – is not the love-professing religion it once claimed to be. Is Jesus indeed the son of God? Millions of Mexicans
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By THE PULSE NEWS MEXICO STAFF Blush-red poinsettias have long been regarded around the world as the perfect companion to seasonal traditions and classic Christmas decorations. Lesser known is the leafy, long-stemmed flowers’ far-flung history. Called nochebuenas in Spanish (literally “holy night,” referring to Christmas Eve), the poinsettia has traveled across oceans and changed varieties more than 70 times within
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By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS Before covid-19 came along and led to massive lockdowns, there was a rather unusual Christmas holiday practice in Mexico that involved, starting in around mid-December, the practice of neighbors suddenly banging on each other’s door late at night demanding refuge and hot punch. Those already familiar with Mexican Christmas traditions will recognize this unusual ritual
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By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS While the ubiquitous images of painted skeletons and sugar skulls that abound across Mexico this time of year might be a bit off-putting for visitors from other countries, the golden orange color of thousands of marigold (cempasúchitl) flowers that line Avenida Reforma and decorate the omnipresent ofrendas (altars to the deceased) at least give a
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By RICARDO CASTILLO It took some time, but finally, the outline of events to commemorate 2021 as the year of the “Greatness of Mexico” arrived on Wednesday, Sept. 30, during President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s (AMLO) daily press conference at the National Palace. The president announced the celebration of seven dates of historical importance, starting with the foundation of Mexico City.
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By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS During the 300 years of Spanish rule following Hernán Cortés’ conquest of Tenochtitlán in 1521, the people of Mexico suffered the indignities of imported smallpox epidemics, forced labor and imposed religious conversions. The disenfranchised indigenous Mexica, Maya, Zapotec and Toltec civilizations were stripped of their heritage and land, and what properties were not claimed by the viceroys
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By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS If you’re new to Mexico, you might be surprised when, starting on around mid-December, your neighbors suddenly begin banging on your door late at night demanding refuge and hot punch. Those already familiar with Mexican Christmas traditions will recognize this unusual ritual as the official start of the holiday season. La Posada – literally, the
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BY THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS She is the patron saint of Mexico and the focal point of the world’s most visited Christian pilgrimage site. Her image is seen in virtually every Mexican Catholic church and is even caricaturized in hip teenage accessories ranging from school backpacks to chic little blouses. And, yet, for all her omnipresent influence in Mexican culture, the story
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