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The Mexican Rebozo – more than just a shawl
A rebozo is a long flat garment, very similar to a shawl, worn mostly by women in Mexico. It can be worn in various ways, usually folded or wrapped around the head and/or upper body to shade from the sun, provide warmth and as an accessory to an outfit. It is also used to carry babies and large bundles, especially among indigenous women.
The origin of the garment is unclear, but Indigenous women of Mesoamerica were the primary weavers of the first rebozos, often crafted with body-tensioned or back-strap “otate” looms. Spaniards used it in religious situations to conceal the bare bodies of indigenous women. Rebozos were quickly influenced by the fringed shawls of the Philippines and Spanish mantillas as a result of colonization. Traditional versions of the garment show indigenous, European and Asian influences.
Traditional rebozos are handwoven from cotton, wool, silk and rayon in various lengths but all have some kind of pattern (usually from the ikat method of dyeing) and have fringe, which can be fingerwoven into complicated designs. The garment is considered to be part of Mexican identity. It has been prominently worn by women such as Frida Kahlo, actress María Félix and former Mexican first lady Margarita Zavala and still popular in rural areas of the country. However, its use has diminished in urban areas
Description and use of garment
A rebozo is a long straight piece of cloth which looks like a cross between a scarf and a shawl. Like ponchos, huipils and sarapes they are classic Mexican garments made of straight, mostly uncut cloth, but rebozos have their own characteristics. It is classically a woman’s garment, traditionally hand woven, distinguished by complicated fingerwoven fringes called rapacejos.
The wearing of the rebozo is said to make the movement of a woman more graceful.The wearing of a rebozo by many women is a sign of Mexican heritage, and for that reason, sales of the garment can double before Mexican Independence Day on September 16. Because of the nature of the garment, especially the fringes, they should be hand washed. The dye may or may not be colorfast so mild soap should be used.
Silk rebozo from Santa María del Río, SLP on a mannequin at the Feria de Rebozo in Tenancingo, State of Mexico
While all rebozos are rectangular woven cloth with fringes, there is significant variation within these constraints. There are three classes of rebozos. Traditional ones have a design created with the ikat dyeing technique and come in various set patterns. Regional rebozos are more colorful and their origins can be identified, especially those from Oaxaca, Chiapas and Guerrero. Contemporary rebozos experiment with non-traditional fibres and designs. Sizes vary with lengths anywhere from 1.5 to about 3.5 meters long.
Most Mexican rebozos are made from cotton, wool, silk or rayon.The type of fibre used is the main factor in determining a price of a piece which can vary from a couple hundred pesos to thousands of pesos, with fine pure silk pieces being the most expensive. The finest silk rebozos can be passed through a wedding ring.
Young street vendor carrying baby in a rebozo in the city of Oaxaca
Rebozo colors and patterns vary widely and traditional designs can usually identify where it was made.For example, a tightly woven black and indigo version is identified with the mountain areas of the state of Michoacán. Designs are generally classified as “classic” and “indigenous.” Classic rebozos come in various colors with designs based on the prehispanic art of plumaría, or creating images with feathers. Some of these have their fringes knotted to form images of animals and stares. However, almost all are created with the ikat technique. The most famous classic rebozo style is called “de bolitas” whose name comes from little knots of string tied onto groups of threads used in its production. Among indigenous groups designs and colors almost always indicate with group the woman belongs.While most rebozos use more than one color, monochrome versions are called “chalinas.”
Rebozos have two main functions, that of a garment and that as a carrying aid. As a garment, it can be an indispensable part of the wardrobe of many mestizo and indigenous women, especially those who live in rural areas.As a shawl, it can provide warmth (especially the thicker and wool ones), worn on the head to block the sun as well as for modesty, especially in church.For city and upper-class women who use them, they can be worn inside the home but are most often used as an accessory to an outfit, especially on certain occasions.As a carrying aid, it can be tied around the head or shoulders most often to carry small children and large bundles, mostly commonly among indigenous women.The rebozo has even figured into Mexican traditional medicine. It has been used as a tourniquet, as support for a woman in later pregnancy, as an aid to a woman in labor, supporting her allowing for rhythmic movements and positioning with aim of making childbirth easier. It can also be used to alleviate headaches by tying it tightly around the head. Other uses for the rebozo have been in indigenous traditional dances and even as a shroud.One modern and innovative way to wear it has been to twist it around the upper body and fastened to make a kind of blouse or top.
History
The name comes from Spanish, from the verb that means to cover or envelope oneself. However, there have been indigenous names for it as well, such as “ciua nequealtlapacholoni” in colonial-era Nahuatl, which means “that which touches a woman or something like her,” “mini-mahua” among the Otomi and in the Nahuatl of Hueyapan, Morelos, it is called “cenzotl” from a phrase that means “cloth of a thousand colors.
The origin of the rebozo is not known, but probably had its beginnings in the very early colonial period.The first mention and description of the garment in written records is in 1572 by Friar Diego Duran, according to research done by Ruth D. Lechuga.The rebozo itself shows various influences, which probably come from the various cultures that had contact at that time.
There are various indigenous garments that share physical characteristics with the rebozo. They include the ayate, a rough cloth of maguey fibre used to carry cargo, the mamatl, which is a cotton cloth also used to carry objects and which often had a decorative border, and the tilma (used for carrying and as a garment), a cloth best known from the one Juan Diego wore and which bears the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.There are chronicles that say that la Malinche carried a cloth called a “Manta del sol” or “Sun Cloth”, which was not just used to protect from the sun but also to denote status as decoration.However, prehispanic clothing and other cloths did not have woven fringes.The main European influence is most likely the Spanish mantilla, although a southern Spanish garment called a rebociño (introduced to the area by the Moors) may have also played a part. Later influences came from the Filipino alampay (Spanish pañuelo) at the start of trade from the Manila galleons. The 19th century mantón de Manila, also based on the alampay, was also influential in the development of the characteristic fringes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups oil for frying
- 30 (6 inch) corn tortillas, torn into strips
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 6 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 (7.75 ounce) can Mexican-style hot tomato sauce
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions
- Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fry tortillas and onion in hot oil until crisp and golden brown, stirring frequently. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Drain the skillet, leaving only a thin residue of oil.
- Place the skillet over medium heat. Return fried tortillas and onion to the skillet and stir in beaten eggs; season with salt. Cook and stir until eggs are firm.
- Stir in tomato sauce and water. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and continue cooking until cheese is melted.
Chia – the super seed to lower bad cholesterol:
Article and recipe by Lonneke Botello Hernandez
Did you know that chia seed are species of the mint family!?
Chia seeds are native to Mexico and form a very important part of the Aztec empire, due to their amazing nutritional benefits, they were once a main source of food in the Aztec empire dating back to 3500BC.[1] However Mayans were believed to be one of the first to use chia seeds in their everyday life and named the seeds “chia” meaning strength in Mayan. This is because of the energy and endurance these seeds provided during battle, making their warriors stronger!
Nowadays, with advanced technology, we have we have discovered that as well as the energizing and hydrating benefits these powerful little black seeds can also aid in weight loss, digestion, heart health, as well as lowering bad cholesterol.
What is cholesterol and is it all bad? You have two main types of cholesterol, the good HDL and the bad LDL. Now the bad is not all that bad, as long as we have a healthy balance of both the HDL and LDL to not cause damage to our organ systems, particularly our heart. Cholesterol plays important roles in our body such as building cells, digesting food, and making important hormones, required for the normal functioning of our body. The good HDL takes excess cholesterol that we produce from the blood and tissues to the liver in order to remove it from the body, whereas the bad LDL cholesterol keeps the cholesterol in the blood and tissues, which create damage and can cause a buildup of plaque in the arteries, leading to many unwanted heart related issues.[2] This is why there is an important balance of HDL and LDL cholesterol needed in the body to prevent cholesterol related issues, and luckily chia seeds are a cholesterol balancing superfood that can aid in this healthier balance!
Daily consumption of chia seeds (1-2 Tablespoons) has been proven to increase overall HDL cholesterol levels[3] which helps to reduce the overall amount to LDL cholesterol found in the blood and tissues, providing a very positive outcome when it comes to artery heart and brain health. Furthermore, chia seeds have the highest plant source of the good fat – omega 3 fatty acids, as well as fiber, form a complete protein, and are rich in minerals Calcium, Zinc, Copper and Phosphorus.[4] In particular the fiber found in chia seeds is mostly soluble fiber, soluble fiber has the ability to bind to excess cholesterol and expel it out of the body via the digestive tract, thus lowering the overall LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and tissues, as well as slowing down digestion to aid in a better balance of blood sugar levels and have you feeling fuller for longer, positively resulting in weight loss.
For the best health benefits consume chia seeds organic and soak in liquid before consuming to release the most nutrition and cholesterol lowering abilities. There are two varieties of chia seeds black or white, both are of equal nutritional content.
Chia seeds can be simply added to your daily drinking water, crushed and used as a topping on oats or cereals, or give this Piña Colada Chia Pudding a try using coconut and fresh pineapple, yum!
To find out about the beauty and antiaging benefits of omega 3, and which foods to find them in get on the pre-order list of my book The Food Fountain of Youth, which includes more tasty recipes high in omega 3.
Lonneke B.H. is a Clinical Nutritionist, specializing in Beauty and Antiaging Nutrition, with over thirteen years of clinical experience, she has helped countless people to enhance and improve their long-term health and wellbeing, as well as aid in slowing the signs of aging through individualized dietary advice. Lonneke´s book The Food Fountain of Youth is set to release in August 2024, pre-sales will be available soon via her website www.aslon.com.mx/beautynutrition. Follow her on Facebook Lonneke BH – Author, or Instagram lonneke_bh, for more beauty and nutrition tips.
Piña Colada Chia Pudding (no alcohol)
2 servings
1 can of unsweetened coconut cream or milk
5 Tablespoons of Chia seeds
½ cup fresh pineapple pieces
1 Tablespoons of agave
¼ Cup Shredded coconut for topping
Start by chopping the pineapple into small bite sized pieces and set aside. Next, place the coconut cream/milk into a sealable small bowl or container, add in the agave and whisk in the chia seeds slowly, ensure to mix well to reduce clumping together. Leave for 5 mins and then whisk again to ensure smooth pudding. Next spoon in the small, chopped pieces for fresh pineapple and combine well. Sprinkle the shredded coconut on top.
Cover and leave in the refrigerator for a few hours to thicken (overnight is best).
If you like your chia pudding thicker add in another tablespoon of chia seeds and mix in well and leave for a few hours more, or if you like it thinner add in more coconut milk and mix well. Top with shredded coconut and a slice of fresh pineapple when serving for a tropical cholesterol lowering pudding!
This chia pudding will keep in the fridge for up to a week, enjoy!
[1] https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/objects/guidedreading/guidedread007.pdf
[2] https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/cholesterol-the-good-the-bad-and-the-unhealthy
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10339661/
[4] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/chia-seeds/
Why so close? The concept of personal space is different in Mexico
What’s the best way to greet a stranger? How do I say hello to a friend? How much personal space is enough? Find answers to all these questions and more inside.(Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
It’s been 21 years, but a part of me still feels a little flustered giving and getting pecks on the cheek.
It’s not that I agonize over it. It’s just that this perfectly normal way in Mexico of meeting and greeting non-family members and then bidding them adieu will never feel to me, on a cellular level, 100% non-sexual.
To this gal from a country where Puritans were the cultural founders of the current regime, it feels ever-so-slightly mischievous.
If you’ve spent any amount of time in Mexico, you’ve probably noticed it: this population’s sense of personal space is a bit different than ours, “ours” meaning those of us from the countries that currently send the most visitors and immigrants Mexico’s way.
In more formal situations or to greet people you have just met, a good handshake is sufficient. (Andres Manuel López Obrador/X)
So in the spirit of cultural knowledge-sharing, let’s dive right into the spaces between what’s considered familiar and normal in Mexico.
First, a general statement: Mexico is a much more “touchy-feely” country than its north-er North American counterparts, the United States and Canada. While there will always be variety among individuals within a culture, we know for our own on an instinctual level what’s normal and what’s not. For unfamiliar cultures, there’s some learning to be done!
Normal: Standing, walking, and talking very close to you. The short explanation: this is a matter of the physical space available and how many people live and reside within a certain area.
You’ve probably noticed that this is not a country of wide, open spaces… or at least people don’t tend to live in its wide, open spaces, anyway. Lots of things seem smaller, too, because they are: the aisles in the grocery store, the parking spaces, the cars, the bathrooms, the tables and chairs, the streets, the sidewalks, the buses, the metro (oh God, the metro).
When this is the case, you just get used to being a little cozier all around, as eventually people simply stop noticing when they’re closer than they need to be (to the point, sometimes, that you can easily smell people’s breath when they talk). Ick, and you’re allowed to back up or turn to the side if they don’t catch the hint and mindlessly follow you; “This is my good ear,” I might say to be polite. The smaller spaces also mean that most people are oblivious to the fact that you think they have any polite responsibility at all to move over to let you rush past them on the sidewalk. Move where?
Not normal: Standing or sitting right next to you when it’s not necessary to do so. If you’re packed into a metro, chances are you’re going to be standing pretty darn close to others. If you’re on a nearly-empty bus and someone plops down in the seat right next to you, though, you might want to get up and move toward the driver.
In Mexico, it is common to greet acquaintances and friends with a kiss on the cheek in casual situations.
Especially if you’re a woman, you’ll want to be cautious with distance. If your spidey senses are telling you that some dude is standing way closer behind you in line than he needs to, a full-bodied turn to the side (pro tip: get your butt to a point where it’s not facing him) and a quick “What do you want?” look is totally called for.
Normal: Quick pecks on the cheek to meet, greet, and bid farewell to friends and acquaintances, mostly in casual social situations. Ah, the kiss. If you’re from a place where kisses are mostly reserved for romantic partners and one’s own young children, kissing people who don’t fall into those categories might always feel just a little bit devious to you. It still does to me, and I’ve been here for over two decades. But oh, how I love having a set physical protocol and the bookends that they naturally put on either end of social interactions!
So how’s it done, exactly? First, it’s most typical to go in for it by moving your head slightly to the left. You’ll likely touch cheeks with the other person, but the kiss will mostly be in the air next to them and will not necessarily land on their skin. If you’re just meeting the other person, this might be accompanied by a simultaneous handshake that begins a second or so before, and if you already know them, you might lightly grab their left shoulder as well before pulling apart. If you’re good friends, a full-on hug could happen, too – oh, boy! Women and women kiss, women and men kiss, and men and men usually shake hands and maybe do the shoulder squeeze thing or a hug.
If you really don’t want to kiss-greet someone, just offer your hand for a shake, and use it to keep the distance between your bodies, which should get the message across.
Not Normal: Kisses from random strangers or in professional settings, and slobbery kisses planted firmly on your cheek (or on your mouth – yikes!). Remember, kisses are not required or expected in all social situations: you don’t kiss the clerk at the grocery store or the immigration officer or the person who’s interviewing you for a job.
Hugs are reserved for those closest to you, such as family and friends. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
When I taught high school, I did not greet or say goodbye to my students with kisses – not even the ones I was on a friendly basis with (plus, we’d have never had time for the actual class!). Mexicans tend to be unshy about respecting social hierarchies, and it would be rare to lean in for a kiss toward someone in a position of either authority or subordination in relation to you, or you to them.
When in doubt, a handshake is always polite!
Normal: Hugs from good friends and family members; a light touch on the shoulder or arm from a stranger who needs your attention. It’s interesting to note that in a culture generally more comfortable with physical closeness and touching, hugs seem to be considered more intimate here than those air kisses next to the cheek. But if you think about it, it makes quite a bit of sense: a short moment of facial closeness is a lot less contact than pressing your entire bodies against each other for a few seconds! That’s why hugs are usually reserved for really good friends, family, and romantic partners.
Not normal: Hugs from strangers, or even acquaintances that you’re not close to; a stranger grabbing you or touching you anywhere below your shoulder. If you don’t want to press your body up against someone else’s, by all means, don’t – you’re not obliged! And if a stranger grabs you around your waist, whip around and give a well-deserved “back off” dirty look.
So there you have it! This is an article and not a book, of course, and is therefore not an exhaustive list. But I hope it’s given you at least a somewhat broad idea of what to expect in your personal interactions in Mexico. Go forward and kiss the air next to people’s faces!
Or maybe just a handshake.
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