Argentina Culture?

Question

need a lot of info on this... all i hav is wikipedia so i need more.

Answer 1

ARGENTINA
History & Culture




Geographia
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Along with numerous nomadic tribespeople, two main indigenous groups existed in Argentina before the European arrival. In the northwest, near Bolivia and the Andes, was a people known as the Diaguita, while further south and to the east were the Guarani. Together the Diaguita and the Guarani constitute the origins of permanent agricultural civilization in Argentina, both developing the cultivation of maize. The Diaguita are also remembered for having successfully prevented the powerful Inca from expanding their empire into Argentina from what is now Bolivia.

It was perhaps a legacy of this successful resistance that enabled the native peoples of Argentina to carry on a prolonged campaign against colonization and rule by the Spanish. The first Spaniard to land in Argentina, Juan de Solis, was killed in 1516, and several attempts to found Buenos Aires were stymied by the local inhabitants. Inland cities were more successful, and it wasn't until the late 16th century that Buenos Aires was securely established.

Despite its military success, indigenous resistance was inexorably weakened by the introduction of diseases from Europe. Even after the native threat became minimal, however, Argentina was still mostly neglected by Spain, which was more interested in developing Lima and the riches of Peru. Buenos Aires was forbidden to trade with foreign countries, and the city became a smuggler's haunt. The restrictive trade policy probably did little to endear Spain to the colonists. The British attacked Buenos Aires in 1806 and 1807, as Spain's had come under the control of Napoleonic France. The colony managed to repulse Britain's attacks without any assistance from their mother country, an act of strength that no doubt helped to foster the region's growing sense of independence.

When the French captured Spain's King Ferdinand VII, Argentina fell completely under the rule of the local viceroyalty, which was highly unpopular. The locals rebelled against the viceroyalty and declared their allegiance to the captive king. By 1816, the deep division between Argentina and its mother country had become quite apparent, and a party of separatists decided to declare the country's independence. One of the new patriots, Jose de San Martin, crossed the Andes and captured Lima. Along with Simon Bolivar, Martin is credited with breaking the shackle of Spanish rule in South America.

Early independence in Argentina was marked by an often bitter struggle between two political groups: the Unitarists and the Federalists. The Unitarists wanted a strong central government, while the Federalists wanted local control.

Argentina's culture has been greatly affected by its immigrant population, mostly European. Their influence contributed to the demise of pre-Columbian cultures, resulting in the lack of a dominant indigenous population. The European immigrant groups each adopted different roles. The Basque and Irish controlled sheep rearing, the Germans and Italians established farms, and the British invested in developing the country's infra- structure.

More than one-third of the country's 32 million people live in Buenos Aires, the capital, which along with other urban areas accounts for almost 90% of the total population. The principal indigenous peoples are the Quechua of the northwest and the Mapuche in Patagonia. Other marginal groups include the Matacos and Tobas in the Chaco and other northeastern cities. There are strong Jewish and Anglo-Argentine communities throughout the country; small communities of Japanese, Chileans and Bolivians; and enclaves of Paraguayan and Uraguayan residents.

The universal language of Argentina is Spanish, but many natives and immigrants keep their mother tongues as a matter of pride.


European influences can be found everywhere in the Argentine art, architecture and lifestyle. When it comes to literature, though, a broader cultural mix prevails, which gave birth to internationally known authors such as Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, Ernesto Sábato, Manuel Puig and Osvaldo Soriano.

Argentina is an important cultural pole, with countless museums and art galleries, besides its vigorous theater community. Their cinema has also been internationally praised and commonly used as a vehicle to disclose the horribleness of the last military dictatorship.

There are two typical music styles in the country, representing two different regions. The tango, at one hand, is more representative of Buenos Aires and became the country's music symbol abroad. Nowadays, it's somehow regarded as cult music and has its loyal followers, not being a largely popular style though. And at the other hand, the so-called folklore, which better represents the rest of the country and whose main artists are Mercedes Sosa, Horacio Guarany, Los Nocheros, Soledad, among others. Cuarteto and cumbia are other music styles that were originated in the inner country and are now widely accepted.

Regarding non-traditional styles, there is the good Buenos Aires rock and pop, represented by music icons such as Charly García, Luis Alberto Spinetta, Fito Páez, Gustavo Ceratti (ex Soda Stereo), Diego Torres, among others.



The soccer is the most popular sport in Argentina without any doubt, and inspires such intense passions. The two main teams are the arch-enemies Boca Juniors and River Plate.

Argentines do well in several other sports, ie. polo (world champions), rugby (world top 5), feminine hockey (recent world champions), car racing, boxing, skiing, hunting and fishing. Lately, the demand on extreme sports has started to grow. Basketball is also attracting greater interest thanks to the brilliant performance shown by Manuel Ginobili (or simply Manu), now a NBA champion.








The beef is the primary Argentine dish. Their version of the barbecue is called asado (beef grilled on an open fire pit) and it's a must when you gather with family and friends on weekends. Besides the meat itself it's also very common to eat spicy sausages (chorizo), kidneys (riñones), sweetbreads (molleja) and small intestines (chinchulines): the famous parillada mixta. Bread and salad are the perfect side dishes. During the week days, they prefer to eat milanesas (breaded meat filets).



Being as appreciated as meat, the Italian food and its traditional pasta are also quite common. Though the variety is big, the top dishes are spaghettis (fideos), gnochis and delicious filled pasta such as sorrentinos, canelones and lasagnas. Last but not least, the pizza is always welcome and in Argentina they taste really superb and there are lots of toppings.

The traditional cuisine is called criolla and is represented by the empanadas – salty pastries which can be filled with meat, chicken, ham and cheese, etc. The regional cuisine offers dishes such as matambre (rolled stuffed steak cut in slices and served cold), locro and carbonada (meat and vegetable stews).

When it comes to drinks, one can perfectly claim that wines (vinos) in Argentina are really popular. You will find budget versions that come in tetrabrick packaging as well as the top quality selections that have made the country a renowned wine producer.

However, mate is the most traditional drink and is also very popular. It's similar to tea but it's more of a way of socializing than a plain beverage. The most common way to prepare it is to fill 2/3 of a gourd (also called mate) with the leaves of the yerba plant (available in every market), put a silver straw on it (bombilla) and then pour hot water. When the gourd is filled with water, the leaves expand and fill the mate. Some people also prefer to add some sugar.

One typical drink is the clericó, a kind of fruit salad in a jar, immersed in plenty of wine and soda. It's ideal to share with friends.

Argentina is also home to some excellent desserts. Ice cream or helado is particularly good, especially from shops that make their own.



The alfajor is a traditional and very popular sweet layered pastry which reminds a yo-yo. It's commonly filled with dulce de leche (caramelized milk) and coated with chocolate. The most famous alfajores in Argentina are manufactured in Mar del Plata but can be found anywhere in the country.


In the breakfast or just before the evening, Argentines enjoy eating facturas, a general name used to indicate medialunas (croissants) and a variety of other pastry and baked goods, some of them filled with dulce de leche or fruit jam.

Answer 2

a great custom is ingesting mate. Mate is a loose tea often ate up warm by using a filtered straw. try looking "yerba mate" in wikipedia to overview approximately it. that's the national activity and that they drink it for breakfast and all afternoon long. To greet one yet another, they kiss one yet another on the main superb cheek. youngsters will slobber throughout it yet with adults that's in basic terms a cheek to cheek element. They hardly consume something for breakfast, often in basic terms mate, and lunch is the biggest meal of the day around 2. Siesta is broadly reported and maximum companies do no longer reopen till 4 pm. Dinner is often eaten around 9 pm, 10 or 11 on the weekends. Nightlife starts at around 2 am and ends often around 7 am, with after-hours places open interior the biggest cities. common fashions incorporate (for women folk) leather-based boots, leather-based cropped jackets, and scarves--lots of people have been wearing this. variety of resembling an American fish fry, the Argentine asado is the culinary prize of the custom. stunning Argentine purple meat is sluggish-cooked for 2 hours with no longer the rest flavoring it yet salt. it particularly is a shrink it particularly is analogous to rib meat, additionally served with cow and pig intestines and diverse sausages, salads, and french fries. purple wine is massive (Argentina is everyday for its Malbecs). in view that their wine was once particularly crappy some Argentines nonetheless upload soda water to their wine. Empanadas are broadly eaten as the two an appetizer, or ordered by skill of the dozen and added like a pizza.

Answer 3

Try these sites, the first is a free online text that covers lots of customs--just load the page and type in Culture and Customs of Argentina:
www.questia.com

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/country/argentina/culture-customs.html

http://www.worldbiz.com/bizargentina.html (etiquette and customs relating to business)

Hope this helps