Easter: how did tradition arrive in Mexico and since when did it begin to be celebrated

It is no secret that part of Mexican identity is found in religious festivities such as December 12, the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, or the long-awaited Holy Week. The advantage of the latter is that it is longer, since it starts with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday.

Apart from the fact that these dates are a good pretext to enjoy the warmth of spring with loved ones, they are also an opportunity to learn a little about the historical and religious past that has always characterized Mexico.

It must be remembered that in pre-Hispanic times there were none of the Catholic saints that are known today, even the festivities for the gods were totally different, since pre-Columbian peoples usually used to sacrifice people, animals or perform rituals with flowers and incense. However, the arrival and triumph of the Spaniards in Mexico-Tenochtitlan changed everything.

With the clash of the two worlds, gastronomic, social and, above all, cultural aspects began to mix. One of the most important changes was the arrival of the European friars and with it, the arrival of a new belief: Christianity.

Thanks to this new doctrine, churches began to be built, new saints were created and traditions such as Ash Wednesday, baptisms and Holy Week migrated. Historian Ruth Rosas points out that the holiday in question was an imposition — like everything at that time — but it soon became a social event that was joined by various indigenous groups.

Eventually, when the new Spanish system had already been consolidated in the former pre-Columbian territories, “in much of the republic Holy Week became the second most important religious celebration of the year, after Corpus Christi”.

The specialist explains that the first festivities were characterized by starting with the Borriquito procession — on Palm Sunday — and continued with “a series of brotherhoods that left from different churches. Throughout the week, fasting was commanded and in some cases it was dispensed to the Indians because of the hard work done.”

Likewise, church manuals of the time indicate that the Holy Thursday ritual included a Chrism Mass in the morning; then preparations began for the High Mass, which was inaugurated with the Mandate or Sermon on the New Commandment: “May you love each other as I have loved you.” An hour later the procession left and they continued with the ritual of foot washing.

Another aspect that was integrated by the Spaniards since the beginning of the celebration was the restriction on diets, as is currently the case with the days of Lent. This belief has its origin in Judaism, where pure and impure food is considered to exist.

Flesh was considered one of the foods that contaminated the soul and spirit. An article in Gaceta UNAM states that the consumption of dairy and eggs was even banned, a regulation that changed until the 18th century.

At first, during the first 40 days it was customary to eat only once a day and avoid drinking wine, thus forcing the body to remain in a pure state, just as Jesus did. Later, the ban became lighter and two centuries later it was considered that “the vigil would only be observed on the first four days of Lent, plus Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The commemoration currently covers Ash Wednesday, Fridays and the last three days of Major Week.”

This is how Holy Week came to Mexico and soon became a paramount celebration. It should be noted that despite the fact that different religious holidays were eradicated by the Reform Laws, the conflicts of the Revolution and the Cristero War, the cultural identity that these events had left to the population were stronger and did not allow the custom to be lost.

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