Forget Santa Claus: Mexicans Show You the True Spirit of Festivities by 'Smashing the Past'
When you think of Christmas, what immediately comes to mind? Is it a Christmas tree twinkling with colourful lights, pristine white snow, or Santa Claus riding his sleigh pulled by reindeer?
We are all well-acquainted with this 'globally standardised' Christmas template. But truthfully, it often feels like a meticulously packaged commercial spectacle – lively, yes, but somehow lacking that genuine human touch.
But what if I told you that, on the other side of the world, there's a place where Christmas is celebrated with the same vivacity and warmth as our own major festivals, brimming with the joy of togetherness and the profound ritual of shedding the old and embracing the new?
That place is Mexico. Their way of celebrating is straightforward, unadorned, yet deeply resonant.
Like Setting Off Firecrackers, 'Smashing' In a New Year
Why do we set off firecrackers during our festivals? It's to ward off negativity, dispel the year's misfortunes, and usher in good luck for the new year.
Mexicans, too, have a similar 'secret weapon': it's called the Piñata.
You might have come across this in movies: a brightly coloured paper-mâché container, hung high, with people blindfolded, taking turns to strike it with a stick.
But it is far more than just a party game.
Traditionally, a piñata has a spherical centre with seven conical points extending outwards. These seven points symbolise the seven deadly sins of humanity: greed, sloth, envy, pride... These represent the 'negativity' or 'unpleasantness' that, to varying degrees, has resided within each of us over the past year.
Being blindfolded, on the other hand, symbolises our battle against inner darkness through 'faith' rather than sight. When people collectively work together to shatter the piñata with their sticks, it's not just a resounding crash; it's a powerful declaration: We are utterly smashing away all the unhappiness, negativity, and bad luck of the past year.
When the piñata finally ruptures, the candies and colourful confetti stored inside cascade down like a waterfall. Everyone cheers and rushes forward, eager to share in this sweet 'blessing' or 'good fortune'.
Isn't this ritual of 'smashing the past and sharing blessings' far more potent and profound than merely unwrapping gifts?
The True Spirit of Festivities: A 'Reunion Marathon'
With the 'piñata smashing' as its central ritual, the Mexican Christmas season (known as Posadas) transforms into a nine-day 'visiting marathon'.
From December 16th right up to Christmas Eve, neighbours, friends, and family take turns hosting parties every single night. There are no elaborate formalities; the core spirit is singularly focused on: being together.
Everyone gathers, shares food, sings heartily, and of course, the most crucial part is collectively 'smashing' that piñata, symbolising the troubles of the past. This, truly, is the soul of the festival – not what you receive, but rather whom you are with, what you collectively bid farewell to, and what you will together welcome.
The Taste of Festivities: 'Mum's Special' Comforting Soup
Such vibrant parties, naturally, wouldn't be complete without delicious food. The dishes served on Mexican Christmas tables are also brimming with the flavour of home.
Forget those cold, uninspiring salads. On a chilly winter night, Mexicans will serve a steaming bowl of Pozole. This is a hearty soup made with large hominy kernels and pork, and its rich, robust flavour is somewhat reminiscent of our own traditional 'Four-Gods Soup' – one spoonful warms you right from the stomach to the heart.
Then there's another dish that would feel particularly familiar to us – Tamales. This involves wrapping fillings like chicken or pork within a corn-based dough, which is then steamed in corn husks or banana leaves. Both its appearance and its status as a 'staple' dish are remarkably similar to our Zongzi.
And naturally, there's also Ponche, a warm mulled drink brewed with various fruits and cinnamon, along with Champurrado, a sweet chocolate and corn beverage. Every single one of these dishes embodies the warm spirit of 'sharing together'.
The True Essence of Festivities: Connection Beyond Language
By now, you might have realised that whether it's Christmas in Mexico or our own major festivals, their most fundamental value boils down to a single word: Connection.
We yearn to connect with family and friends, with tradition, and even more so, with the hope of 'shedding the old and embracing the new'. These festive rituals, be it setting off firecrackers or smashing piñatas, all serve to help us forge these connections.
Yet, nowadays, we often find this connection increasingly elusive. Perhaps, we can glean a valuable lesson from the Mexicans: True connection necessitates actively creating it, and sometimes, even demands a little courage to 'break' barriers.
Breaking down language barriers is the pivotal first step.
Imagine being able to chat online with a Mexican friend, asking them about their family's traditional Pozole soup recipe or what unique shape of piñata they've prepared this year. This kind of authentic exchange is far more vivid and profound than simply poring over ten thousand travel guides.
This is precisely the purpose behind tools like Lingogram. It's more than just a chat application; its integrated AI translation feature enables you to engage in real-time conversations with people from any corner of the world, virtually without barriers. It shatters that thickest wall, transforming you from a mere cultural 'spectator' into a genuine 'participant' and 'connector'.
So, the next time you celebrate a festival, don't just settle for superficial rituals.
Try to 'smash' a few things – smash away the past that troubles you, smash down the barriers that hinder your communication with the world. You'll discover that as the pieces fall, what unfolds before you is a more authentic, warmer, and truly celebratory new world.