Pipil Culture

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Being both the smallest nation in Central America as well as being the most densely populated nation within the region, El Salvador (Spanish for “The Savior”) is a country influenced heavily by Spanish colonial rule. The first people to populate the land were the nomadic Nahua tribes, who were under the power of the Mayan Empire (Haggarty). It can also be noted that, “the area that is now El Salvador was made up of two large Indian states and seven principalities…[m]ost of the area was inhabited by the Pipil,” (Dickson-Gomez). While the Pipil were agricultural people, they did establish large urban centers. It has been stated that the Pipil culture was one that was advanced, however, “Pipil culture did not reach the advanced level of achieved…show more content…
The Spanish ecomienda and repartimiento system would drastically change the lives and culture of the communal, indigenous population (Dickson-Gomez). The Spaniards brought with them a new racial hierarchy system that put Spanish-born colonists, known as Peninsulares, at the top and the indigenous population at the bottom. However, as time progressed those of Spanish parents who were born in the New World were known as crillos, and those of Spanish and Indigenous mixed heritage were mestizos. However, the Spaniards not only brought a new social hierarchy with them, but they also brought with them Catholicism (Dickson-Gomez). Spanish culture will become infused with the indigenous population and change the culture of El…show more content…
The Spanish salsa is one of the more popular genre of music listened in El Salvador (Bradler). However, the cumbia genre of music is influenced by the wide range cultures that influenced Latin America. Cumbia music originated in Colombia, but has gained popularity within El Salvador with its unique mixture of Spanish, Amerindian, African, and Caribbean infusion of music (Bradler). Alongside music, food is also an important aspect of culture. The staples of the Salvadoran people are similar to those the Mayans and other Amerindian tribes. These staples are inclusive of corn and beans, alongside squash, tomatoes, tropical fruit, chilies, cocoa, and some game. Spanish colonists introduced rice to the region, and that soon also became a staple for the region. Everyday foods of El Salvador are: frijos sancochadas (simmered beans and spices), papusas (a thick tortilla filled with chicharrones, cheese, or black beans that have another layer of tortilla added and then fried), quesadillas, and Mexican French Bread used to make turkey and pickled vegetable sandwiches (Kittler, Sucher, and Nelms). Salvadorian food is also inclusive of a wide variety of seafood dishes due to its location along the Pacific Ocean (Kittler, Sucher, and Nelms). Hispanic culture definitely has a strong influence in the music and food cultures of El
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