September 16th is Independence Day in Mexico, one of the most important national holidays in the country. Contrary to the common misconception amongst foreigners, Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day. Celebrations actually begin at night on September 15th with the re-enactment of El Grito and continue well into the early hours of September 16th with firework displays and music.
El Grito
Día de la independencia marks the country’s independence from Spain following a decade-long war that started with Father Miguel Hidalgo’s call to arms that is today known as El Grito [the Call]. The history books tell us that on September 16th, 1810, Hidalgo, accompanied by Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez and Ignacio Allende, rang the bell of his church in the early hours of the morning and urged his townspeople to revolt against the Spanish hegemony that had dominated the country for more than 300 years. Thus began a 10-year war for independence.
Today, thousands of people gather each September 15th in the main plaza of Mexico City to watch the Mexican President re-enact El Grito. The President rings the original bell that Hidalgo once rang and calls out the names of the national heroes. The ritual is brought to a climax with the famous words “¡Viva Mexico!” followed by pyrotechnics. Meanwhile, municipal town plazas all over the country fill with patriotic locals waiting for their mayor to perform a similar ceremony.
Mes de la Patria
The whole month of September is dedicated as the Mes de la Patria (Month of the Homeland). As such, September is an exciting time to visit Mexico. During the main celebrations, many people dress in traditional costumes and you will see mariachi musicians playing in the plazas. Local communities decorate the streets to reflect the colours of the Mexican flag: red, green and white. Patriotic memorabilia, hats and flags of all sizes are displayed and sold at almost every turn.
Patriotic Cuisine
Independence Day in Mexico is not limited to its celebrations and decorations. You will also find dishes that are only readily available in restaurants during September. Chiles en Nogada is a delicious recipe that is considered patriotic because its colours are said to reflect the Mexican flag. It is prepared by stuffing poblano chiles with ground beef, then bathing them in a walnut sauce (nogada) and topping them off with pomegranate seeds.
Guests staying in any Punta de Mita Rental home during the month of September can try this dish in many of the local restaurants. Better still, we can arrange a private chef to prepare it for you any time of the year. How about a cooking class?
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