Decorative and historic Mennonite houseware can be found in Chihuahua, where Canadians from the prairie provinces settled in 1922. (Jim Bamboulis photo for Vacay.ca)
Blue-eyed, blond-haired, German, English, and Spanish-speaking Mennonites in Chihuahua, Mexico? Living in communities named after towns in Canada where previous generations of Mennonites lived? Yes and yes! Here’s the story.
Mennonites began arriving in Canada in the late 18th century, settling primarily in Southern Ontario. Over time, with the promise of land, cultural autonomy and guaranteed exemption from military service, thousands more migrated to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and even the Northwest Territories. But Mennonites hit a snag by the end of the First World War. The Canadian government banned them from immigrating to the country, largely because of their customs, pacifist ways, and perceived inability to assimilate. Rescinded in 1922, thousands more arrived to escape famine in Bolshevik Russia, but later that year many left Canada altogether and headed south.
In the years leading up to the war, Mennonites living in Saskatchewan and Manitoba were inching closer to a fork in the road. Provincial governments passed laws that required flying the Union flag and established public schools within Mennonite settlements. Many obliged. Many others didn’t and sent delegates to several countries searching for new land to settle. After negotiating privileges with then-Mexican President Alvaro Obregon, who undoubtedly recognized their strong agricultural skills, Mennonites began leaving Canada’s heartland in 1922. They established roots on nearly 300,000 acres of land in Mexico’s Chihuahua State. Today, 90% of the Mexican Mennonite community is located in Chihuahua, which continues to thrive thanks largely to their agricultural prowess, supplemented with Mexico’s rich and fertile land.
Museo Menonita has a distinct Canadian barn design and can be found in north-central Mexico. (Jim Bamboulis photo for Vacay.ca)
While they grew beans, corn, and Canadian oats upon arrival, they eventually expanded to produce apples and cheese. Cuauhtemoc, about an hour west of Chihuahua City, is known as the “City of Three Cultures” and serves as a crossroads where Mennonites, Indigenous Raramuris, and mestizo converge. “It’s a blessing to walk alongside the people who live in perfect harmony within communities rich in tradition,” says Selene Alarcón, Chihuahua Promotions Executive. “Travelling to Chihuahua is like visiting three entirely different worlds that peacefully coexist without competing with each other.”
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Chihuahua is one one of Mexico’s most important apple-growing regions, with Mennonites leading the way. More than 2,500 growers operate rows of greenhouses, and processing and packing plants that produce over 70% of the apples consumed in the country. They also produce sausages and baked goods, not to mention dairy-rich products, including milk, sour and non-sour cream, ice cream, and cheese. Queso Chihuahua, aka queso Menonita, is a natural soft white cheese first produced by the Mennonites who settled the area. It’s a beloved melting cheese renowned for its use on pizza and best savoured at Pizzeria Los Arcos, a local institution specializing in Mennonite Pizza since the 1980s.
For a more structured and all-encompassing Mennonite experience, a visit to the Museo Menonita is a must. Fittingly located along the Manitoba Commerical Corridor, it’s both a museum and cultural hub showcasing the life and times of the Mennonite people in Mexico. Since opening in 2001, visitorship has steadily increased, making this the most visited museum in Chihuahua State.
Queso Menonita, a popular soft cheese, is manufactured within the Mennonite communities of Chihuahua. (Jim Bamboulis photo for Vacay.ca)
“It feels like travelling to another country, with a completely different culture within the same state. It’s like stepping into another world, another way of understanding life — without needing a passport,” says former museum director Tony Loewen. Designed much like a traditional Mennonite home, knowledgeable guides walk you through room-by-room, providing insight into the immersive exhibits and offering guests a deeper look into the Mennonite way of life, including religious beliefs and cultural heritage.
Stop by the cafe and enjoy homemade Mennonite pastries with delicious Mexican coffee, and visit the gift shop to purchase unique handcrafted keepsakes from the Mennonite community. Extend your stay with more curated experiences, including a guided tour of a Mennonite cheese factory and even a home-cooked Mennonite meal at “Maria’s house”. Tired and satiated, consider crashing at Microtel Campos Menonitas or Cabanas Las Bellotas. Located between Manitoba and Swift Current Colony, this gated community consists of 12 rustic countryside cabins offering the ultimate in R&R.
In 2022, the centennial anniversary of the Mennonites’ arrival in Mexico was marked. Thousands of people attended the celebration in Cuauhtemoc, including representatives from the consulates of Canada, the United States, and Germany. Proud Mennonites, the hardworking community takes great pride in their Mexican heritage, striving to celebrate and showcase the vibrant traditions of both cultures. They’ve created a unique travel experiences in Mexico — one with a deep Canadian connection.
