Take a Peak on Mexican Culture

The culture of Mexico of the present time can be traced back to the time when indigenous people inhabited areas of the country and the colonization of different nations. It has been said that history in Mexico is not just a trace of the past, but it continues up to the present. Mexico is indeed a place where past meets the present.

Here is a list of aspects of life that defines a true-blood Mexican.

Photo credits to: feelinspired.co.za

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religious orientation in Mexico. Mexicans have established their own religious affiliations even before the colonization of Spain, but since then, the country embraced Catholicism as their spiritual orientation. In fact, the Catholic Church has been one of the most powerful institutions in the life of Mexicans. On the other hand, Mexican Catholicism is considered to be syncretic. There is a mixture of traditional Catholicism and indigenous rituals, considered to be polytheistic by foreign visitors. The Mexicans hold a strong worship of the saints and the Virgin Mary. The Virgin of Guadalupe, the nation’s saint is considered to be a national emblem and as important as the Mexican Flag.

Mexicans have a sophisticated culinary culture. Cuisine is a mixture of pre-Hispanic and European influences. Corn is the staple food, and is considered sacred by the indigenous people as the Maya and the Aztecs. This food is also prepared by all means, in all possible forms.

In Mexican cooking, three ingredients stand out: hot peppers or spicy chiles, corn and beans. The most important meal for the day is served between two to four in the afternoon locally known as the comida, commonly composed of three to four courses. There are also custom foods for every ceremonial occasion in Mexico. For example, during November 2 when they celebrate the day of the dead, they consume pan de muerto or the bread of the dead. At Christmas, the common delicacies served are romeritos, bacalao, and stuffed turkey.

The Mexican etiquette. The way how Mexicans deal with each other in daily life is strongly informed by the culture of distance and hierarchies in the society. Generally, Mexicans shake hands or kiss on the cheek when they meet. As in the case of close contacts and special occasions, they embrace each other, tap on the back and shake hands. This culture symbolizes confidentiality and the value of trust.

Mexicans have a strong valuing on eloquence. They typically began with polite and indirect approaches in conversations before coming up to the main topic. They are indirect speakers and avoid the use of clear-cut statements.

Mexican Agouti of the Rainforest (Dasyprocta Mexicana)

Ever heard of this animal? Probably not.  Well then, let me introduce you to this strange mammal. Mexican Agouti commonly known as Mexican Black Agouti belongs to the order Rodentia which makes it related to rabbits and rats. It was first introduced to Cuba in the 1930s but can also be seen in the southern part of Mexico. They look quite similar to guinea pigs, but have longer and larger legs. 

Behavioral Characteristics and Description

Agoutis of Mexico are generally blackish-brown in color. They have rounded backs and thin, long legs. The ventral part from the throat to the stomach is whitish-brown in color. Coarse hairs surround their body and raises when threatened. They can grow up to 24 inches in length and can weigh up to 4 kilograms. In their natural habitat, they seem to be shy and flee away from humans and are known for running very fast. 

Agoutis are good swimmers. At night, they hide themselves in tree trunks and among roots. Mexican Agoutis make alarm calls by feet stamping and loud nasal barks while running.

Feeding

Agoutis are primarily fruigivores. When eating, they sit on their hind legs while holding food with their front legs. They eat fallen fruits and leaves but can sometimes climb trees to eat green fruits. They gather up to group of 100 when feeding. Agoutis are also food hoarders; collecting them in small and buried places. Sometimes, they are considered pests to banana and sugarcane plantations. On the contrary, they serve as food sources for cats, birds and snakes.

Take note: Aside from macaws, they are the only animal species that can open Brazil nuts without the use of tools.      

Significance in the Ecosystem

Mexican Agoutis serve as primary seed dispersers. By eating seedlings and dispersing them, they are the ones responsible for wide distribution of tree species to the forest to which they live. They are also food source to other larger species of animals in the forest. Furthermore, several parasitic species depends on Agoutis for survival, like fleas.

How Does Climate Change Affect the Rainforest

As we all know rainforests are the primary absorbers of large amounts of carbon dioxide produced by humans and man-made facilities. To inform you, carbon dioxide levels are now 40% higher than what s experience a century ago. They can benefit, really, but as a saying goes “anything put into excess is bad.” 

So, what’s the biggest worry?

This has to be drought. Apparently, scientific studies in the Amazon rainforest found that tropical rainforest are sensitive to drought. Some of the areas that were once carbon sinks turned out to be carbon sources. How did it happen? Plots subjected to relative decrease in rainfall caused trees to die which resulted to carbon emissions. In a study, it has been reported that intense dry season and lesser amount of rainfall in Amazon in 2005 have caused a 1.2 to 1.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide release. 

In one way or another, rainforests and climate change are interdependent to one another. When climate changes and produce an abnormal amount of rainfall in a rainforest, the trees will eventually die and fail to fulfill their tasks as carbon sinks. In this way, carbon gases will be abundant in the atmosphere, and rainforests will not be solid buffers against climate change.

At present, up to what level are our carbon sinks?

Scientists said that mature tropical rainforests covering about 10 percent of the Earth’s land, absorbs as much as 1.3 billion tons of carbon each year. Thus, tropical rainforests account for forty percent of the world’s carbon sink. On a brighter note, it’s good to know that mature tropical rainforests keep getting better each year in absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

“Forests have given us subsidy for a long time, and we should never take this for granted”, as an ecologist said. As trusted creations for environment conservation, we should take good care to what is entrusted to us. Let us remember that whatever we do to the environment at present will produce either satisfying or worsening effects extending up to the future generations.