DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Diversity is the word that best describes México’s people & geography. Over 50 different indigenous groups, each with its own language, comprise 28% of México’s 83 million inhabitants. Divided by the Tropic of Cancer into the temperate North and the tropical South, the country boasts snow-capped volcanoes, jungle clad beaches, deserts, archeological ruins, modern cities, upscale resorts, and isolated villages.

México is actually a combination of many cultures and civilizations that grew up over a long period of time. In modern times, each state and even different cities within a state can reflect great cultural differences depending upon the cultural history of the indigenous people who lived there in the past.

While there were many native cultures in México, these are six that are considered to be the most influential. Each developed in a different area over a different period of time. There were the: Olmecs, Teotihuacans, Toltecs, Mayans, Zapotec and Mixtec, and the Aztecs.

The Aztecs: The Aztecs are probably the most well-known of all México's ancient cultures. The Aztec empire was composed of three Nahua's groups established in the Valley of México with Tenochtitlán, presently México City, as the main city-state.

The Spaniards: In 1519, the native civilizations of México were invaded by Spain and, two years later in 1521, the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán was conquered and the entire civilization was almost literally wiped out by plagues and epidemics such as smallpox, flu, Bubonic plague, measles, and syphilis all brought to the Americas by sick Spaniards and their African slaves.

These and several other diseases took the lives of hundreds of thousands of Aztecs and other natives in a few weeks. The epidemics may have killed over half the approximate 8,000,000 natives who lived in México in the course of a few years time. As the Catholic religion was "evangelized" by the Spaniards, in time, many of the ancient beliefs of the Mayans and Aztecs became absorbed into the Catholic beliefs by the "converted" indigenous people.

Religious beliefs are reflected in México's name:

Names of locations often reflect the religious beliefs of ancient civilizations. One historian writes, "The original inhabitants of México called themselves the 'Mexicas'. The word 'México' is identical in several indigenous languages of México, such as Mixtec, Otomi, Pame, and Tarasco. In "Nahuati" (the language of the "Aztecs/Mexicas") it is the combination of three words: (1) Metx(tli) - 'moon' (2) xic(tli) - 'navel', (3) co - 'in' giving México a meaning of "In the navel of the Moon". Since the positions of the lakes, upon which México City was founded, are shaped like a rabbit and correspond to the same pattern on the moon, thus: México = The Rabbit's Navel."

In the religion of the Aztecs and Mayans, a "nahual" was a spirit being, similar to a guardian angel that manifested itself in the form of an animal. Each person had a nahual who watched over and protected them. In their religion the moon was identified with its "nahual" the rabbit that supposedly lived on it and the rabbit was a symbol of fertility. The Aztecs' religious beliefs were based on a great fear that the universe would cease functioning without a constant offering of human sacrifice. They sacrificed thousands of people on special occasions. This belief is thought to have been common throughout Nahuatl people.

They worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses, each of whom supposedly ruled one or more human activities or aspects of nature.

Often names of towns & states reflect ancient beliefs:

For example, Colima takes its name from its capital city, Colima. The name comes from the Nahuatl word Colliman, one of which meanings is thought to be: "domain of the God of the Fire". Veracruz comes from the Spanish True Cross.

Music & Art of México reflect religious beliefs:

One very interesting thing is that the Music and Art of México all reflect present and ancient religious beliefs, the art work being filled with meaningful symbols and signs that at one time were significant to the people of that era. The sun, moon, rivers, fire, flowers, crosses, eagles, hummingbirds, feathers, rabbits, dogs and a multitude of other animals all figured prominently into the ancient religious beliefs, and these symbols can be seen in México's art including the paintings, sculptures and pottery, though not always clearly identifiable at first glance.

representative of "corn god" gods of sun, wind, water symbol of sun god Aztec flower motifs marking

death into a new birth

fire goddess Mixture of Catholic & ancient beliefs

Most Mexicans live in poverty, working on farms and living in isolated areas where it is difficult to go to school or receive an education. The average wage is approximately $150 dollars a month and in some places even lower. An average worker may work all day, six days a week, maybe laying bricks, and only make the equivalent of $200-$300 dollars a month. One report says that 91% of the population live in poverty and of that number 30% live in extreme poverty.