A Fiesta of Mexican Traditions at the Garden

Una fiesta de tradiciones Mexicanas! It was a weekend of celebrating Mexico’s rich culture at the Naples Botanical Garden. This event supports the year’s theme, Mexico: A Celebration of Plants and Culture, which highlights the “most biodiverse places on earth and celebrates cultural connections to the natural world.” 

We associate the vibrant reds, greens, whites, and browns with traditional Mexican colors and they also appear prominently on the Mexican flag. 

The colors of Mexico also play a central role in its history, culture, tradition and national identity. At the Garden, the table teaching the art of traditional tissue paper flowers was very popular. They also used other colors such as yellow, magenta, blue and orange.

Mexican women also use vivid flower crowns to honor their tradition, which is a throwback to an old tradition that was popularized by Artist, Frida Kahlo. It was Frida’s iconic floral look. She cherished her garden at Casa Azul with its vivid blue interior and native plants which are still found at the succulent garden.

The word “flor” means flower and also “style” and many women wore their favorite flowers in their hair as a head accessory blending well with the natural settings and native plants in the Garden.

Ballet Folklorico, a snapshot rendition of traditional regional Mexican dances was a big hit for everyone. Picture a group of dancers with brightly colored skirts, fanning them out and rippling them in a wavelike fashion as they twirl and stamp their feet to the music. Each costume and dance is representative of different regions and states in Mexico, and other Latin countries.

Kapnick Hall offered four beautifully decorated Ofrendas (altars). In Mexican culture, they are meant to pay respect to and remember loved ones who have passed. Maria Dominguez and her family hoped to honor her late abuelita (grandmother). The flowers were made in collaboration with the FGCU Mexican American Student Alliance (MASA). A respectful thank you to the other organizers who also created beautiful altars: Bayshore Arts District, Leticia Murillo Flood and Family, Grace Place for Families and Children and RCMA Immokalee Community Academy.

The Catrinas (elegant female skeletons) are back by popular demand created by visiting artist, Ricardo Soltero. Catrinas are the most visible iconic symbol of Mexican heritage during the celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is an annual tradition that started by 

the Indigenous Mexicans and now after more than three millennia, it has now become a universal celebration in late October. Families, friends, and even our beloved pets are all part of our personalized Ofrenda.

Carol Donegan of Marco Island used to teach Spanish to middle school students and shared “my favorite holiday was Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos); we used to make skull masks, baked Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) – which was a traditional Mexican sweet bread. And it was important for Carol to differentiate to her students that this is NOT a Halloween event.

A fiesta is not complete without the flavor of authentic dishes from Mexico and for this year, Taco Tummy with brothers Luis and Gabriel Trejo brought a small sample of their authentic tacos with fresh corn tortillas in their food truck. Luis told our group that they are now strictly Mexican catering. 

Hasta el ano que viene mantente bien! (Until next year, stay well).