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.

Fun Activities to do in a Rainforest

The most northerly rainforests are bound in Mexico. Having a good climate as it receives the most amount of rainfall in a year makes it a perfect location for dwelling of different species. In addition to this is Mexico’s location between North and South America that makes it an important site of migration of several animal species. All these characteristics crowned Mexico rainforests as one of the most suited sites for outdoor activities to those who find adventures up close with nature.

Here we have listed ‘must do’ activities once you reach rainforests of Mexico.

ZIPLINE AND CANOPY TOURS

For most travelers the best part of a forest is its canopy. And one thing’s sure, one cannot be able to fully enjoy the ambiance of a rainforest unless he is able to glide and have a trip on its canopy. Canopy refers to that part of a rainforest comprised of the top layer of trees, mostly its leaves and branches. Canopy tours involve climbing off a tree in a jungle and gliding from one edge of the forest to another edge which is lower through suspended ropes termed as zip lines. There’s no better way of exploring a forest in its perfect view without intervening species in it than through swinging on top of it. There’s nothing to worry about safety because there are travel guides that will surely assess you all throughout.

WATER TOURS

There are rainforests in Mexico that offers boating as a primary mode of transportation, the Amazon rainforest for example. Travelling through waters provide an extremely different experience rather that wandering through land, it is more convenient and time-saving. Furthermore, boating and river cruising is a great way to experience wildlife in its natural setting, take photographs and observe a myriad of species along the riverbanks. Several cruise companies offer these kinds of services; arrangement can be done in site or beforehand.

TOURIST ACCOMODATIONS

Most common form of sleeping accommodations in Mexico rainforests are in the form of eco-lodges. Eco-lodges provide basic to first class accommodations but still in contact with nature. Some provide tourist guides which will help you plan your next trip in the region. Surely, there’s nothing to think about in here; from camping to sleeping, everything is provided for your own satisfaction and comfort.

FOREST HIKES

Of course, your trip to Mexico rainforest will never be complete without getting up close and personal with creatures in their natural habitat. There are a number of forest reserves and national parks which offer guided hikes as you get in touch with Mexico’s flora and fauna. Not just biodiversity, but these parks give you modern facility accommodations that will definitely make your excursion an experience of a lifetime.

Mexico Harpy Eagle

Among the fifty species of eagles in the world, Harpy Eagle is one of the extremes in terms of strength and size. This bird was first sighted on Mexico since 1998 by an Indian who provides ecotourism tours in Lacandona jungle.

“The eagle was already an adult, identifiable by its size, gray head, very broad wings and white underparts which could not be confused with other raptors”, says Jose Eduardo Perez.  The harpy eagle is one of the uncommon residents of Mexico jungle that’s why it is indeed a rare sighting to see one. It is said that eagles live in pristine habitats with broad forest sections; which means that the presence of one speaks of good forest conservation in Mexico.

DESCRIPTION

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a large predatory bird equipped with large feet and talons adapted for hunting preys like monkeys, sloths and even other birds. This eagle has an average body length of 35 to 40 inches.

The Mexico harpy eagle has a behavior of gliding through a tree canopy and picks its prey by plucking it from a tree. Mating for them usually happens every other year that’s why they are not large in number. Additional to the factors that make them even fewer in the forest is the destruction of their habitat by logging and agricultural development. 

Often referred to as “the ruler of the rainforest”, the Harpy Eagle is one of the most endangered birds in Latin America. However, number of conservation efforts is being made not just in Mexico to preserve its remaining number and to increase their survival in the wild.

Considering the Weather when Traveling to Mexico

When traveling to Mexico, you must take into consideration the weather condition of the month or season you are planning your trip. This will ensure you that you will enjoy each day you’ll be in the country and not just stay indoors when in times of bad weather. Mexico unlike others perceived it to be is not an all sunny country, it is not always hot and in fact weather varies on each places.

Weather in Mexico is determined by the countries latitude and altitude. Being a country of terrains, weather varies in the different places. The country has numbers of tropical forests, valleys, deserts and mountains. That explains the different weather experienced in each part of Mexico. In general, Mexico’s coast climate is fairly pleasant all year round and only few have rainy weather, other times dry. In Mexico City, you may have days and nights.

Two Main Seasons

There are two main seasons in Mexico namely the Dry and Wet seasons. Rainy season is experienced during the month of May to September or can extend up to the month of October. You’ll experienced larger amounts of rainfall in these times and the rest of the remaining months will be fairly dry with few and lesser chances of rain. However, visiting Mexico during the rainy season can also be enjoyable. Rainy days provide more water for plants in the rainforests thus giving you lush green environment compared to when it is the dry season.

Hurricane Season

One thing you don’t want to experience during your vacation is natural calamities. This will not ruin your vacation but as well harm you if worse calamities occur during your trip. June to November is the hurricane season in Mexico. You have to check on weather bulletin for further reports if there are upcoming hurricanes or other natural calamities.

It is important that climate is one among the top consideration in planning your trip to Mexico. A lot of activities will be done when you are in vacation at a weather fair for travel. Getting around and travelling around the famous places and landmarks is more enjoyable on a sunny and fair weather. However, there are still good thing to see during the rainy season, those luscious green plants especially in the middle of the rainforests.

Facts about Your Rainforest

Coined as the Earth’s lungs but in reverse, rainforest “inhales” a large quantity of the earth’s carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a poisonous gas emitted by mammals.  We can attribute the clean air we breathe now with the rainforests.  As a matter of fact, tropical rainforests are the biggest terrestrial source of the air that we breathe.

Only 2 percent of the Earth is composed of rainforest yet it houses almost two third of all living species in the planet.  Also almost half of the medicinal compounds used by modern day medicines are found or made out of plants that can only be found in the rainforest. 

The biggest rainforests can be found in South America, at the Amazon Basin. In parts of Central America, Hawaii and Mexico, you will see smaller rainforests as well as in the islands of the Caribbean and the Pacific.  These rainforests has an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and has rainfall of 160 to 400 inches in a year. This kind of condition makes the growing of plants abundant in the enclosure. 

Due to geographical location, the rainforest has become a better breeding ground and habitat for animals in the latter years. Before this day and age, animals are well protected by human hunting  and all human acts that can harm or lessen the number of different species of animals. There are nearly 50 to 70 million different life forms found in the rainforests back then.

Now, due to human acts and natural calamities, these life forms are gradually decreasing their number and some, nearing its extinction. Moreover, the rainforest itself is slowly destructed and we’re losing more and more of these natural habitat for animals as the years pass. There a study done by the Rainforest Action Network that an acre and a half of the rainforest is lost every day.  And if this rate continues, it is said that we can lose half of the remaining rainforest by the year 2025.

Here are some comparison and data as well comparing the loss of rainforests today and in the latter years:

Every second we lose an area the size of two football fields.

Every minute we lose an area 29 times the size of the Pentagon.

Every hour we lose an area 684 times larger than the New Orleans Superdome.

Every day we lose an area larger than all five boroughs of New York City.

Every week we lose an area twice the size of Rhode Island.

Every month we lose an area the size of Belize.

Every year we lose an area more than twice the size of Florida.

With these data, we can say that if we don’t act now in the conservation of our rainforest, we could not only lose the terrestrial formation but the living species like the flora and he animals that live in it as well.