6 May 2025: Spanish Tutor/LLA Giselle writes about Iguala, Guerrero – Birthplace of the Mexican Flag
6 May 2025: Spanish Tutor/LLA Giselle writes about Iguala, Guerrero - Birthplace of the Mexican Flag
From a young age I have visited my mother’s home country, Mexico, many times, and I have grown to consider it a second home. Its history, culture and people have always made me feel welcome and comfortable. I have made many memories alongside my siblings and cousins by visiting places and doing things our parents did in their childhood, something that has made us feel more connected to them: the city of Iguala, in the state of Guerrero. It is known as a very high temperature place, it’s also known as the “city of tamarindos” for its various trees of tamarinds within the city. My family has had the chance to cultivate and maintain a tamarindo tree in their backyard that has been a part of our family for many years. Many of my family members including my mother still tell me how much that tree means to them as it has become a fond memory of their childhood as they would play around it.
The state of Guerrero is a region with many cultures and traditions as well as having a majority of indigenous populations with its highest being the Nahuatl population, so it is very diverse in regards to its heritage and language. I have been given the opportunity to witness its diversity by visiting parts of the state of Guerrero that many indigenous people reside in. In which I have been exposed to their language and their way of living something that can be really eye opening. Many of them still hold on to their tradition which you can see when visiting their markets in which they sell many handmade products. To this day I possess various things I have bought from indigenous markets such as mugs, plates, sandals and even handmade bags. Many indigenous people still maintain their traditional clothing, as well as their native language, something that I believe is really important to maintain one’s cultural heritage alive.
But most importantly the city of Iguala is known as the “la cuna de la bandera”, the cradle of the Mexican flag. Its history dates back all the way to the year 1821 when Mexico gained its independence from Spain and where the signing of the Plan de Iguala was conducted. During this time Agustin de Itubribe and Viciente Guerrero inaugurated the “Plan of Iguala” proclaiming Mexico as an independent state. It was also during this time when the Mexican flag was crafted by Jose Magdaleno Ocampo which represented the three main principles established within its independence. The white represents religion, the red represents union and the green represents freedom. During the years following the flag has been going through many changes but the color still and will always remain the same as an attribute to Mexico’s proud independence.
To this day you can see monuments representing the city’s history as well as honoring those who contributed to Mexico’s independence such as Agustin de Itubribe, Vicente Guerrero and Jose Magdaleno. This history has been embedded in my family, and every time I visit I’m taken around downtown to see and visit the monuments. This has become a very fond memory for me as I enjoy listening about the history and spending time with my family listening to their many stories. One tradition me and my family have done throughout the years is to go on a picnic to see one of the main attractions of Iguala, giving me the chance to enjoy and relax within nature which is always very enjoyable especially with Mexico’s warm weather. I have taken lots of pictures of the large flag up on the hill which was made in 1998 and which up to 2011 was known as being the biggest flag monument on national level but now stands as the second biggest flag. This is one of the main attractions Iguala has to offer with its rich history and diverse population.