Fiestas in Latin America

1. Fiestas in Latin America World Language Institute Summer 2008

2. Religious festivals National holidays Solemn Celebratory Recreational What are fiestas? Survey local terms and knowledge • Ritual • Processions/parades • Competitions • Pageants • Performances • Personal • Family • Community

3. Fiestas in Latin America • Contributions of indigenous and migrant societies and individuals • Processes of cultural transmission, adaptation, differentiation, and refinement • Common and distinct historical developments that shaped Latin American societies • Importance of public celebratory culture to contemporary life—ritual, politics, and power A diverse landscape

4. Fiestas in Latin America • Building linguistic and artistic competence • Seeking direct experiences (local/foreign) • Expanding knowledge (breath/depth) • Identifying community resources (tradition bearers/performers) • Building relationships with local organizations and practitioners A personal journey

5. El Cristo negro de Esquipulas (January 13-15) • Origins of devotions date back to 16th century Guatemala, expanded to other countries in Central America, Panama, Mexico, Peru, and the U.S. • Adopted by mulatto militias in Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica • Legendary vs. historical origins • Institutionalized in cofradía or cargo system • Evolving—formal/stylistic elements that are fixed/emergent and traditional/creative

6. Religious devotions Patterns of spiritual and social exchange: promesa, demanda and ofrenda

7. Todos los que están en tu templo, Contemplan en vos, Señor Y con contrición verdadera Muera yo por vuestro amor. …………………………………….. Santo Cristo de Esquipulas Pues adiós, que ya me voy; Mi alma queda en tu costado, Con ese consuelo voy. Song and its context Alabado al Santo Cristo de Esquipulas (ca. 1940) Bella imagen milagrosa De Esquipulas redentor Tan negra y oscurecida Siendo más linda que el sol. A los ángeles en el cielo Al verte les da temor Porque alumbras todo el orbe Con solo tu resplandor. El día quince de enero Tu iglesia con gran fervor Celebra tu santo nombre Como amante y salvador.

8. Velas, processions, and the Mass Linking communities across space

9. Muy alegres bailan los viejos Frente al santo que es su patrón Bailan, bailan con alegría Frente al Santo Cristo Esquipulas Con donaire bailan esa danza Mueven la cintura con ritmo y con gracia. Es su baile ofrenda de amor, Su promesa que un día ofreció. Los Indios Promesanos de Santa Cruz (Dance performed at the Church atrium) Promesanos de Esquipulas Ya llegó el Negrito de Arado En su nicho de encaje dorado Esquipulas viene cansado. Vamos a pedirle por nuestras cosechas Vamos a bailarle al Negrito Esquipulas Promesanos bailad junto a él Este baile de la redención. Bailan los promesanos con sus bastones y guacalitos Y sombreros adornados con flores de amapola. Es su velo secreto de amor.

10. Parades and crafts Giving shape to beliefs and attitudes

11. Horseback riding and bullfighting Displaying personal styles, regional lifestyles, and social values

12. Music and dance performances From the street to the stage

13. Por eso cuando la albarda Anuncia que vas a pasear Tu relincho es de alegria Y te pones a bailar. Caballito nicoyano Hoy tenemos que pasear A la morena más linda De esta tierra sin igual. De esta tierra nicoyana Donde todo es fraternal. The son and its context Expanding spheres of meaning through performance and analysis Caballito, caballito Caballito nicoyano Que sabes de mi ternura De mis amores, hermano. Con tu relincho pampero, Con tu paso sin igual Caballito nicoyano Sos romance musical. En noches de luna llena Cuando estas en el corral Se te nota entristecido Y dan ganas de llorar.

14. Local Fiestas in New Brunswick Mexicans build a newcomer community • Mexican presence in NB dates back to the 1970s. • Mexican immigrants have established a thriving business sector on French Street. • In 2000, Mexicans reached 7,364 or 38% of the Latino population in New Brunswick (18,947), one of the largest concentrations of Mexicans in the state. • Local residents originate from Oaxaca, Puebla, and more recently Guerrero.

15. Local Fiestas in New Brunswick Community Organizations • LAZOS AMERICA UNIDA, (732) 421-7490 • Teresa Vivar, President • Develops participatory, community-based projects in collaboration with Rutgers and other institutions. • Main programs: Marigold Project and 4H Program (RU Agricultural Extension Program), MOVE’N (UMDNJ/RU School of Nursing), Día de los Muertos (November 2) • MEXICAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATION, (732) 342-7352 • Estanislao Sanchez, President • Promotes the culture of Mexico through workshops in dance, theater, visual arts and language, and promotes activities that benefit families, especially children. Organizes Folkloric Dance Group (directed by Flor Michaca) that offers classes in Mexican fold dance, specifically Guelaguetza dances from the state of Oaxaca. • Main events: Guelaguetza (July 16) and Cinco de Mayo (May 5)

16. El Día de los Muertos Preserving agricultural knowledge Top: Flor de cempazuchil (Marigold) Right: NB resident harvesting flowers at RU Cook Campus Agricultural Extension Program

17. El Día de los Muertos Reshaping the hand-made object Left: Locally hand-made crafts and sweets. Right: Lazos America Unida community organizers at the NB Free Public Library

18. El Día de los Muertos Building altars to honor and remember family members Families use cempazuchil, food, religious icons, and photos to create memorials for their loved ones

19. El Día de los Muertos Reclaiming cultural identities Mexican children performing traditional Aztec dances at the New Brunswick Free Public Library

20. Guelaguetza Linking ancient rituals and contemporary cultural performances • Zapotec word meaning “offering”, describes pre-Columbian propitiatory two-week celebration in honor of the Zapotec goddess of tender corn, Xilonen • Incorporated into the July 16th feast of the Virgin del Carmen in Oaxaca during the early 16th century • Since 1932 incorporated folk dance performances from the seven regions of the State of Oaxaca, showcasing regional dresses and offerings • Local gifts and fruit are shared with audience, symbolizing reciprocity

21. Cinco de Mayo Building social and economic networks Organizers draw local residents and vendors to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Joyce Kilmer Park in New Brunswick, May 2006.

22. Cinco de Mayo Cultural performances and nationalistic pride Ballet Folklórico de Princeton performs regional dances from Mexico for Cinco de Mayo at Joyce Kilmer Park in New Brunswick, May 2006.

23. Center for Latino Arts and Culture The Center for Latino Arts and Culture's (CLAC) mission is to research, document, interpret and promote Latino/a, Hispanic, Caribbean, and Latin American arts and culture. Through it's programming and publications, CLAC seeks to advance the appreciation and understanding of Latino/a artistic production, scholarship, and cultural traditions. For more information, contact: Carlos Fernandez, Ph.D Director Center for Latino Arts and Culture 122 College Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (732) 932-1263 cafernan@rci.rutgers.edu clac.rutgers.edu