Mother's Day in the Spanish-Speaking World
What is Día de la Madre?
Like the United States, many Spanish-speaking countries celebrate Día de la Madre(Mother's Day) to honor maternal figures. Although the exact dates vary depending on the country, most celebrations occur during the month of May. The concept of celebrating la maternidad(maternity) dates all the way back to ancient civilizations such as those of the Aztecs and the Egyptians, who honored deities like Coatlicue and Isis, goddesses of fertility and motherhood.
In the United States, Mother's Day was officially recognized in 1914. After this, many countries in el mundo hispanohablante(the Spanish-speaking world) also adopted the modern iteration of the holiday. Keep reading to learn about some popular Mother's Day customs in the Spanish-speaking world.
Popular Customs
- In many countries, businesses and restaurants have ofertas(sales) and menús especiales(special menus) in honor of Mother's Day.
- Schools encourage their alumnos(students) to create artwork and poetry to express their gratitude to their mothers.
- In some countries, there are also spiritual undertones associated with the holiday. For instance, families in Peru typically gather in cemeteries to honor maternal figures who have passed on.
Overall, many Mother's Day traditions parallel customs that are prominent in the U.S. Families usually pamper mothers with flowers, breakfast in bed, and gifts. Here is a list of some popular vocabulary words associated with this special day:
Looking for a reason to celebrate? Take a look at these articles about holidays and festivals in the Spanish-speaking world!
