Vanessa Noriega.

Carnet: 10-01467

Culture of Venezuela

Venezuela is a country of young people, with 70% of them under 30 years,

and also where there is more mixing of races in Latin America. The society
is a contrast of lifestyles that can be very Venezuelan with their old customs
that have been maintained, but also with other new traditions that have
been taken over the years through exposure to other cultures, especially by
Spanish migration. The Venezuelan people have a rich cultural heritage.
Venezuelan culture has been shaped by indigenous, Spanish and African
influences. From the original American Indians to the Spanish and Africans
who arrived after the Spanish conquest, the twentieth century waves of
immigration brought many Italians, Portuguese, Arabs, Germans, and others
from the bordering countries of South America.

In Venezuela one hundred years ago, most women used to wear long skirts
and many pieces of clothing when they dressed. There were “damas
antañonas” (women dressed with dresses of several layers, umbrellas and
hats). Also, most men used to wear suits or long sleeve shirts. A firm
handshake was the customary greeting, in both men and women. Most of
the Venezuelan people worked in livestock and crops. Therefore, people
used to eat a lot of natural food. They used to eat vegetables and drink
coffee. Processed food was rarely eaten. Also, people always used to listen
the colonial music, like joropo, the most traditional music of Venezuela, the
“gaita”, calypso and also the Venezuelan vals. The most popular sport at
that time was baseball that originated with the early twentieth century
cultural influence United States oil companies. Through time, Venezuela
has adapted, to the influences of globalization. Many aspects such as food,
fashion, music or how to express ourselves have been copied or adapted
from abroad by Venezuelans and have ingrained in our culture.
Nevertheless, Venezuela has some native traditions that have survived.

Some of the Venezuela’s traditions and customs have changed through the
years. Venezuelans still pay special attention to their clothing. Shorts and
sandals are not commonly used in large cities, but they wear shirts with
short sleeves or sleeveless. They still pay particular attention to what is
going to look if you attend social events like church services, weddings, etc.
A kissed or a huge is the customary greeting in these days, only between
friends and relatives. Baseball still remains the first position in sports but
now football had increased its popularity in recent years. Now, people also
listened vallenato, reggaeton, reggae, ska, due the influences and closeness
to the Caribbean and Latin-American countries. Also the influence of Anglo-
American countries, people of Venezuela heard hip hop and various genres
of rock and pop, which can be heard especially among the youth
communities of the cities. Likewise, electronic music made in Venezuela is
enjoying greater international recognition. There is also neo-folklore, which
takes traditional music and arranges it in an electronic style, for an
awesome instrument. Venezuelan pop and rock music are very popular too,
and several bands and musicians have had considerable success over the
years, like Ricardo Montaner, Franco De Vita, Desorden Público, Los Amigos
Invisibles, among others.
Through time and due to its location in the world, its diversity of industrial
resources and the cultural diversity of the Venezuelan people, Venezuelan
cuisine had changed among traditional and modern. These are the three
most representative dishes in Venezuela: the arepa, the hallaca and the
pabellón. Also, around the country people usually eat a wide gamut of fresh
and saltwater fish, seafood and crustaceans; tubers such as potato and
yam; cereals such as corn, rice and pasta, fresh vegetables and fruit,
common meats: beef, poultry, pork, fish, include goat and rabbit ; extensive
use of plantain and a variety of cheeses, and other milk derivates. As
Venezuelan drinks it can enjoy the cocada, Creole chicha, Miche and
Venezuelan beer.

The Catholic religion is also prominent thanks to their Spanish descent, but
over the years, religions have spread and now there is a little more variety
in this field. The worship of saints is a practice very strong throughout the
country, where each region has its gods, virgin or saint.

Nevertheless, some of Venezuela’s traditions are still intact. For example,

baseball is still Venezuela's most popular sport. Also, listening the salsa,
merengue and joropo are still very popular among Venezuelan people.
Another very popular genre of music is the “gaita”, and is played during
Christmas season all over the country. Talking about Christmas, the
Christmas tradition in Venezuela hasn’t changed a lot and is the tradition
most celebrated and anticipated of the year. These Christmas traditions are
usually extended to February: the aguinaldos, the pesebre, aguinaldos’
mass, the parrandas, the Paradura del Niño, the patinatas, The dances of
pastors, The wake of the baby Jesus, The Day of the Holy Innocents, The day
of Locos and Locainas and The arrival of the Three Wise men among others.
During the month of December it’s common to eat holiday meals, especially
on Christmas Eve: the most traditional of all the hallaca, bread with ham,
pork, turkey or chicken salad, as dessert a piece of dulce de lechoza, cabello
de ángel, prunes, grapes and panettone. People drink wine, whisky, Ponche
Crema and several drinks. The children write letters to baby Jesus, though in
recent years, many children write to Santa Claus. The Venezuelans
celebrate many festivals through the year, like Vasallos of Candelaria, The
Malagueña, The Galerón, Wake of the cross of May, The Dancing Devils of
Yare and some others. Also, they celebrate Carnival and Holy Week.

There is still some sexism in conversations with Venezuelans, although there

are many women in important jobs, there is still more emphasis on the
appearance of women than in its capabilities. Through time, it has become
very normal for them, among men and women. Venezuelans have never
been very punctual in formal or informal meetings. Venezuelans tend to
make personal contact very fast during conversations; they can touch the
hands or arms. Also Venezuelans still enjoyed conversations about social
issues, like sports, general knowledge, family topics, etc.