Latin American Culture Flashcards
Grade 8 · Spanish · Flashcards
Key vocabulary and cultural concepts from across Latin America for Spanish learners.
Flashcards
- Mestizaje
- The blending of Indigenous, European, and African peoples and cultures that defines much of Latin American identity.
- Syncretism
- The merging of different cultural, religious, or artistic traditions into a new blended form.
- Día de los Muertos
- Mexican holiday (Nov. 1-2) to honor deceased relatives; features altars (ofrendas), marigolds, and traditional foods.
- Carnival (Carnaval)
- A major pre-Lenten festival across Latin America and the Caribbean with parades, costumes, and music.
- Mariachi
- Traditional Mexican musical ensemble featuring trumpets, violins, guitarrón, and vihuela; musicians wear charro suits.
- Tango
- Passionate dance and music genre originating in late 19th-century Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Salsa
- Energetic dance music rooted in Cuban and Caribbean rhythms, popularized in New York by Puerto Rican and Cuban communities.
- Cumbia
- Colombian dance music blending Indigenous, African, and Spanish elements; one of Latin America's most widespread genres.
- Ceviche
- A Peruvian dish of raw fish marinated in citrus juice, seasoned with chili peppers and onion.
- Empanada
- A stuffed pastry or bread found throughout Latin America and Spain, filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
- Ofrenda
- An altar built during Día de los Muertos to honor deceased loved ones with photos, food, and marigolds.
- Inca
- A powerful South American civilization centered in Peru that built Machu Picchu and the Andean road system.
- Maya
- An ancient Mesoamerican civilization known for advanced mathematics, astronomy, and cities like Chichén Itzá.
- Aztec (Mexica)
- A powerful Mesoamerican civilization centered in the Valley of Mexico whose capital was Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City.
- Reggaeton
- A modern Latin music genre blending Caribbean rhythms, hip-hop, and Latin pop; originating in Puerto Rico in the 1990s.
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