Here's why, and what we need to know:
* Possible essay types: The sentence could be from various essay types:
* Personal Essay: It suggests a reflection on the writer's understanding of their heritage.
* Narrative Essay: It could be part of a story about a specific celebration and its impact on the writer's understanding.
* Expository Essay: If the essay explains the concept of Mexican heritage, this could be an introductory sentence.
* Argumentative Essay: The sentence could introduce a point about the tangible nature of heritage.
* What we need to know:
* The main point of the essay: What is the writer trying to convey? What is the argument, story, or reflection being explored?
* The rest of the essay: What are the supporting points or details? How does the writer develop the idea introduced in the sentence?
In conclusion, without more information, it's impossible to definitively categorize the essay type. Please provide more of the text so we can better understand the essay's purpose and structure.