Customs of Hispanic Heritage Month

Eating traditional food is part of the National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from September 15 to October 15 each year. During this month-long period, Hispanic Americans, as well as their culture and history, is celebrated. While many different countries and cultures are included in the category of "Hispanic," there are many similarities in the customs. Hispanic art, food, music and cultures are included during this month's festivities.

History

National Hispanic Heritage Month was first observed under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a 30-day period and enacted it into law in August of 1988. The actual days the month encompasses are significant, as many Latin-American countries have their Independence Day celebrations on the anniversary of September 15. They include Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate Independence Days on September 16 and September 18, and Columbus Day is celebrated on October 12.

Art

One of the customs of Hispanic Heritage Month is to celebrate Hispanic arts and artists. Many museums have special exhibits with Hispanic artists that coincide with this month-long celebration. Schools and churches often teach students about Hispanic crafts, including basket weaving, pottery, sculpture and piñata building.

Music

Hispanic music is comprised of a wide variety of music, many of which have elaborate costumes and dances. One of the customs of Hispanic Heritage Month is listening and dancing to the different types of Latin music. Some examples include mariachi, samba, salsa, merengue, Latin jazz, Tejano (or ranchero) and more.

Food

Hispanic food is one of the most celebrated cuisines in the world, and it typically provides the opportunity for families to get together and pass along their traditions, an important facet of Hispanic culture. One of the customs of Hispanic Heritage month is simply eating and cooking favorite Hispanic dishes such as moles, tortillas, tamales, ceviche, empanadas, tortas and lechon asado. Some teachers have daily presentations on each Latin-American country and present one of the country's favorite dishes.

Culture

The majority of Hispanic cultures embrace the Catholic religion, which includes many saints and angels. There are also many holidays that incorporate Hispanic religious beliefs, and one of the customs of Hispanic Heritage Month is learning about the holidays. An example is Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a day that celebrates passed-on relatives and loved ones in the form of candles and skeleton decorations. Many teachers include Hispanic Native American cultures, such as the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas, into their lesson plans during this month. Others focus on Hispanic folklore and legends, such as the Chupacabra.

References

• Skokie Public Library: Hispanic Heritage Month
• Kidz World: Hispanic Culture and Heritage
• Library of Congress: Hispanic Heritage Month