Cinco De What?

Many great things have come from Mexico – tequila slammers and sombreros among them – but Cinco De Mayo may be its finest export yet. If you don’t speak Spanish, or have been living in a cave for the last 146 years, Cinco De Mayo is a celebration not to be missed. But what is it in aid of? 

Is it Mexico’s Independence Day?

No, wrong. Mexico’s Independence Day is on September the 16th (mark that in your diaries). Cinco De Mayo is that day that Mexicans celebrate the defeat of the French army of Napoleon III in the city of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo is also know as the Battle of Puebla), 100 miles east of Mexico City, on the 5th of May of 1862. If you’re keen to know more (which will be handy when you’re filling out your leave form to HR), or if you’ve got a Trivia night planned soon, read on…

Cinco de Mayo's history has its roots in the French Occupation of Mexico. The French occupation took shape in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. With this war, Mexico entered a period of national crisis during the 1850's. Years of not only fighting the Americans but also a Civil War, had left Mexico devastated and bankrupt. On July 17, 1861, President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for a brief period of two years, with the promise that after this period, payments would resume.

The English, Spanish and French refused to allow President Juarez to do this, and instead decided to invade Mexico and get payments by whatever means necessary. The Spanish and English eventually withdrew, but the French refused to leave. Their intention was to create an Empire in Mexico under Napoleon III. Some have argued that the true French occupation was a response to growing American power and to the Monroe Doctrine (America for the Americans, and all that). Napoleon III believed that if the United States was allowed to prosper indiscriminately, it would eventually become a power in and of itself. Napoleon III also took the opportunity because he knew the United States was in a Civil War.

In 1862, the French army began its advance. Under General Ignacio Zaragoza, 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army in what came to be known as the "Batalla de Puebla" on the fifth of May.

Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the Batalla de Puebla came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves of any foreign intervention.

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo is to celebrate Mexico’s culture, heritage and unity. But it is also a way to show how we live, how we think, and how we celebrate with the rest of the world the fact of just being Mexican. Try to celebrate with joy, some Mexican food, and a good Mexican beer, and if you can a good bottle of tequila

Salud y!
Feliz cinco de mayo!


Celebrate Cindo De Mayo, Savvy Stye
Your How-To Guide for planning a Cinco De Mayo party

Do Your Homework. Can’t be bothered to throw your own party? Gatecrash someone else’s! Research, online and in other places, about Cinco de Mayo events in your area (Mexican consulates and Embassies always have information about this, or you can further interogate Baca).

Do It Yourself. If you don’t find anything that tickles your fancy, consider organising one yourself. C’mon, May 5th isn’t May 5th without a parade in your loungeroom.

Get Inspired. If you choose to have a party, you can go to a Mexican Restaurant (please note that by ‘Mexican Restuarant’, we do not mean Taco Bell, Pollo Loco,  or Chi Chie’s) and see what types of decorations they are using to get an idea. Look at the menu to see what types of food they have and how they serve it.

Hot tip for Hot Shots: Order from said restuarent, serve on your own plates, and hide any evidence.This way your guests will think you’re much more international than you really are.

Deck The Halls. Decorations must never be underestimated. Anything red, white and green will do just fine, and bonus points for Mexican flags. If you have no luck finding flags, perhaps re-vistit that Mexican resturant, and accidentaly on purpose have some of their decorations fall into your oversized bag.

Cook Up A Storm. Make Mexican foods like menudo, enchiladas, tacos, frijoles y tortillas, tamales, and stuff like that. If cooking up a storm is not one of your skills, then call that resturant. Have some Mexican beer and (of course) a bottle of a good tequila.

Dress The Part. Wear a cute outfit. Something with green, red, or white. Extra points for no pants.

Hot Tips for Hot Shots

1. Have other people help you with the party, especially with the food and decorations because it is nearly impossible to do all this by yourself. Perhaps consider tricking some staff from your Mexican resturant of choice that it’s an official function, and they have to work at your place (hey, it’s plausable, you already have their decorations and food).
2. Have mariachi there, it's expensive but worth it – a party is very boring without music. If you can't get a mariachi for whatever reason, make younger siblings dress up like a mariachi and make them mime.  This will be highly entertaining on several different levels.
3. If you are going to a party where is going to be alcoholic beverages, make sure that there is a designated driver (this is one of the advantages of playing the host).

 

Much love, many thanks, and even more tequilla goes to Adrian Baca, our resident tequilla expert for this piece.