Día de los Muertos has been an important holiday and event for me over these past few years, as it incorporates so much of what is important to me: my cultural heritage and traditions, family, and honoring our loved … Continue reading
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Ozomatli, a diverse, Los Angeles-based band known for incorporating various musical styles into their work, such as Chicano rock, reggae, Latin, hip hop, and funk, have also explored Día de los Muertos in their music. Their song “Cumbia de … Continue reading
I remember when I attended a Día de los Muertos celebration for the first time—it was for a college class field trip; we went to Self Help Graphics, a Mexican-American/Latino community arts center and gallery in Los Angeles. There … Continue reading
In Octavio Paz’ collection of essays, The Labyrinth of Solitude, he describes the Mexican psyche and explains that Mexicans hide behind masks and rituals to conceal their immense solitude, resulting from the mestizaje prevalent throughout Mexican history, lineage, and … Continue reading
As discussed in class and as Dr. Perez noted, corn is significant in The Hungry Woman and in indigenous cultures of the Americas. Corn is of the earth, and corn is life. As Dr. Perez pointed out, the Cihuatateo (El Coro) in The … Continue reading
In Bless Me, Ultima there is ongoing conflict within the Márez-Luna family in regards to their diverse histories, beliefs, customs, and lifestyles. These varied backgrounds that exist between the patriarch, Gabriel Márez, and his wife, María Luna, not only creates … Continue reading