With Mother’s Day in the air, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the fond memories of mamá–and the cultural traditions she passed down to us. From food to holidays, rituals, and everyday moments, these customs are treasures we hold close and hope to keep alive for generations to come. In our comunidad, traditions bring a deep sense of belonging, pride, and identity. They’re also a beautiful form of self-expression that connects us to our roots.
We asked a few empowered mujeres in our lives to share the most meaningful tradition their mamá passed on to them. Read on to discover a bit of the magic–passed from one generation to the next!
Food: Sabor a Casa
Comida Casera–home-cooked meals–are a love language. Learning to make mamá’s favorite dishes is a gift and point of pride. From arroz con leche to mole or pupusas, it’s a privilege to carry these flavors forward.
Cooking Traditions: For our community, preparing certain dishes for specific holidays is everything. Think tamales at Christmas, pozole for New Year’s, capirotada during Semana Santa, or buñuelos during the holiday season–and the list goes on.
A Next Gen Latina shared, “My mom’s tamales at Christmas and pozole on New Year’s Eve are memories I will cherish forever. I can’t wait to share those traditions with my own children one day.”
Holidays: From Nochebuena to Día de los Muertos
Our holidays are filled with heartfelt moments that mamá always made extra special. Celebrating Día de los Reyes, Las Posadas Navideñas, Día de los Muertos, Día de la Amistad–each tradition is a chance to honor our roots and create joy.
One Next Gen Latina said, “I loved when April came around because mom always celebrated Día del Niño. She would make us little gift baskets and take us out for a Happy Meal at McDonald’s. I want to carry on that tradition so my kids have special memories like that too.”
Rituals and Everyday Culture
Beyond holidays and food, there are those small but powerful everyday rituals that mamá shared. From beauty secrets passed down from abuela, to dichos and consejos filled with wisdom, to music, dance, faith and spirituality–these are the things that made life rich with meaning.
A Next Gen Latina shared how her mother taught her the power of an avocado hair mask to lock in moisture and create glossy, shiny locks.
These rituals remind us that culture is loved in the everyday moments, and that even something as simple as a homemade beauty treatment can carry generations of care and love.
The Next Generation of Latinas
As Next Gen Latinas, it’s up to us to carry these traditions into the future and keep them alive. They are rooted in our heritage and hearts, filled with love, resilience, and wisdom.
The traditions mamá and abuela passed down have shaped us in beautiful ways. They’ve given our lives meaning, created everlasting memories, and now it’s our turn to do the same for our children and grandchildren.
Enjoy the small moments–they’re usually the most memorable. 🩷
