The Mexican American Experience, a radio program produced by the Longhorn Radio Network, includes interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns. Program summary: Richard Goodman discusses some of the customs and traditions of Chicanos, such as weddings, rodeos, and quinceñeras, and the ways they have changed over the years. Goodman begins with the celebrations that occurred after communal labor, when Mexican Americans got together to help perform the harvest or round up cattle. After such labor-intensive jobs, communities would have a feast or play competitive games. While the men slaughtered the pig or competed against each other, the women would prepare food, like tamales or other dishes. These moments allowed men and women to come together to relax and celebrate after periods of hard work. As Chicanos became increasingly urbanized, the celebrations became less associated with communal labor. Weddings and quinceñeras are two other significant traditions for Mexican Americans. In the past, the groom demonstrated his economic potential by throwing elaborate weddings. Nowadays, it is the bride's parents, with the help of the wedding party, that put on the celebration. Likewise, families throw elaborate quinceñeras on the occasion of their daughters' 15th birthday to present her to society. Religious customs include Los Días de los Muertos, or the Days of the Dead, and Saints' Days. Goodman claims that these customs, while once widely celebrated, follow the declining religiosity of Mexican-Americans. Keywords: Celebrations, Cemeteries, Communal labor, Customs, Dating, Death, Farmers, Food, Los días de los muertos, Pan de los muertos, Quinceañeras, Ranchers, Rodeos, Rural life, Saint's Days, Saints, Sexual division of labor, Tamalada, Tamales, Weddings. Broadcast date: 1976-09-14.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator) and Goodman, Richard (host)
Date Created/Date Issued:
9/14/1976
Owning Repository:
Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin
sound recordings, grabaciones sonoras, radio programs, programas de radio, and Audio
Extent:
14 minutes, 36 seconds
Rights - Use and Reproduction:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Language:
English
Place of Publication:
Austin (Tex.)
Topic:
Cooking, Mexican Americans--Social life and customs, Mexicano americanos--Vida social y costumbres, Dating (Social customs), Patriarchy, Rodeos, and Noviazgo (Costumbres sociales)