Mexican American Folklife - Oregon Historical Society

HistoryMexicans in OregonIn the 1600s Spanish explorersventured along the Oregoncoast. By the 1800s the PacificNorthwest witnessed manymore visits by crews of Mexican,Peruvian and Spanish sailorssearching for settlement sitesalong the coast. For years, peoplemoved freely along the openborder between the OregonCountry and Mexico, tradingsupplies and cultural influences.Mining and cattle ranchingdrew many settlers to the area inthe latter half of the nineteenthcentury. By the early 1870sMexican vaqueros, skilled athorsemanship and cattle herding,had moved north and trainedyoung men working in the region.Mule Packs andRailroadsEven before the Civil War,Mexican merchants, miners,soldiers, adventurers,sheepherders and vaqueroswere living in southern Oregon.Mexicans are credited withintroducing the mule packtrain to the region. This systemMule Pack Train (OrHi 93798)of moving largequantities of goods onmules helped advancetransportation on thefrontier.By the 1850s, Mexicanmule packers hadBraceros in Labor Camp, 1943 (OrHi 98619)established routes to theIllinois Valley in southern Oregonin communities around the state.and The Dalles, Oregon, as wellBetween 1942 and 1947, theas to Lewiston, Idaho and Wallanumber of low-wage workersWalla, Washington. In the 1860sin Oregon increased by 15,134.and 1870s, Mexicans, along withBraceros went wherever thereworkers from China, Japan andwere big labor shortages. Thesethe Philippines, built railroadsworkers were very importantlinking the east and west coastsin agriculture and helped toand eventually making mule packmaintain the region’s railroads.trains obsolete.Braceros’ importance wasImmigration andBracerosIn 1910, the Mexican Revolutionincreased immigration to theUnited States, including Oregon,where fertile land offered workopportunities. During the GreatDepression, however, the numberof Mexicans in Oregon decreasedbecause jobs disappeared. Later,World War II created a huge laborshortage in the United States asmen left to join the armed forces.The Bracero Program, institutedby the U.S. government, helpedto relieve theshortage andencouragedthousands ofMexicans tocome to work5officially recognized, but theirliving conditions and treatmentwere not always what had beenpromised.Workers harvest potatoes in CentralOregon, 1943 (OrHi 73286)According to the OregonEmployment Departmentpublication Hispanics in Oregon’sWorkforce, 1998, Mexicans wereoften targets of violence anddiscrimination. To help protectthem, some workers were advisedto stay on the farms even on theirdays off. Workers were often

housed in canvas tents, six mento a 16’ X 16’ space with one cotand one blanket per man. Thefood was unfamiliar and adequatewater was not always available fordrinking or personal hygiene.The Bracero Program was firstinstituted in 1942 and revived in1951. It helped to create a steadyflow of Mexican immigration thatcontinues today.Think About This! Using an Oregon map, locatethe Illinois Valley and TheDalles. Estimate how many miles aday a mule pack train couldtravel?Mexicans and MexicanAmericans in Oregon TodayPeople often migrate to finda better life and more jobopportunities. For generations,Oregon’s agriculture, with itsvast labor demands, has playeda prominent role in attractingimmigrants and migrant workers.It is the main reason for the state’sdramatic growth in Mexicanresidents, who come to fill jobs innurseries, vineyards, farms, forestsand food-processing plants. Onceestablished, many people havetended to move from physicallydemanding jobs in agricultureto ones in service industries,business, education and politics.Immigrants are people whomove from one country to liveand work in another. The UnitedStates is often called a “nation ofimmigrants.” Except for the NativeAmericans who were here beforeColumbus made his historicvoyage, everyone living in theUnited States either came from, ortheir relatives came from, anothercountry. Mexican immigrantsare simply another wave ofimmigration to the United States. Find out the names of somecowboy gear and horsepractices. Do you know theorigin of any of these words? Contact your local historicalsociety or interview yourgrandparents to find out aboutyour local history. Ask your parents andgrandparents to tell you thestory of why your family cameto Oregon and stops they mayhave taken along the way. Make a drawing of theirjourney and write a diaryof what you imagine theymay have experienced ordiscovered and who theymight have met along the way. Measure a 16’ X 16’ space.Divide this space equallyamong 6 people. Describewhat you think your life wouldbe like living in this space.Independence Police Officer, OscarZambrano. Photo by Paulina HermosillaWords to ReviewMexican workers in hop fieldvaquerosmule pack trainBracerosBracero Programimmigrants6

Establishing a Sense of PlaceMexican storefronts,bilingual signs,newspapers, radio and televisionstations are evidence of theincreased presence of Mexicansand Mexican Americansthroughout Oregon.Storefront in Hillboro with signsin English and SpanishAccording to the HispanicChamber of Commerce and theOregon Association of MinorityEntrepreneurs, the number ofLatino-owned businesses hasincreased considerably over thepast 10 years.State, county and communityorganizations have formed toserve the health, education,family, social and cultural needsof the people. For instance,WashingtonCounty’sCentroCultural offerseducational,computer andjob training,bilingualinformation,El Hispanic News, March 4, 1998referrals and other services.in 1998 and 1999 as the numberCatholic Charities administers Elone bilingual weekly by thePrograma Hispano in PortlandNational Association of Hispanicand Gresham with counseling,Publishers.outreach, language classes andstudent retention programs.Youth on the Move in Nyssa,AYALA Foundation in Medford,Programa de Ayuda in Newportand Bend, Club Latino Americanoin Hermiston and LEARN inWoodburn provide similarprograms. These organizationsoften function as cultural centersfor the communities as well.In 1981 El Hispanic Newspublished its first issue underClara Padilla Andrews’ownership. It received awardsSalvador’s Bakery in downtown WoodburnSister Cities:Portland, Oregon andGuadalajara, MexicoPresident Dwight D. Eisenhowerintroduced the U.S. Sister CityProgram in 1956 calling it the“people-to-people program.”This program was founded withthe goal of linking cities sharingsimilarities such as population,industry or art together toform partnerships and createan international atmosphere ofunderstanding and respect.The Portland-GuadalajaraSister City Association formedin 1983, to promote a deeperunderstanding of Mexico’s cultureand heritage through educationand cross-cultural exchanges.7

Establishing a Sense of PlacecontinuedShelvesstocked withMexican foodproductsYesenia’s MarketYesenia’s Mexican Market andBakery in southeast Portland,like other mercados around thestate, sells essential ingredients tomake traditional Mexican foods.The shelves are stocked with freshly baked Mexicanbreads, cojita cheese, nopal cactus, hot sauces, spicesand fresh peppers of many sizes, tastes, and colors.Festive piñatas line the aisles.Yesenia’s Mexican Market and Bakery in southeast PortlandElected OfficialsSusan Castillo received a Bachelors of Arts inCommunication from Oregon State University.As the first Latina in the Oregon LegislativeAssembly, she served in the Oregon State Senate from1997 to 2002. In 2002 she was elected as Oregon’sState Superintendent of Public Instruction.Think About This!Serena Cruz learned muchfrom her mother, a Mexican immigrant,who emphasized the importance of educationto her family. After high school Serena earned afull scholarship to Lewis and Clark College andgraduated with a degree in Political Science. In 1998Serena was the first Mexican American elected to theMultnomah County Commission, District 2.Maria Rojo de Steffey was elected asMultnomah County Commissioner in Mayof 2001. She begins her second term as commissionerJanuary 2005. Maria is the daughter of immigrantparents. Her migrant worker family instilled in herthe value of gaining an education. She received her Bachelor of Sciencedegree from the University of Oregon in 1978 and completed somegraduate work at the University of Maryland. She has served on manyadvisory boards and has a long history of civic involvement. She isHonorary Director of the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association.8 Find out if your town or city hasa sister city. What places have unusual andinteresting names in your area? Do any places in your area haveSpanish or Mexican names? What might this suggest aboutthe immigrants to your areaand where they came from? Are there bilingual signs in yourcommunity written in Englishand Spanish? Make a two column chart. PutEnglish words on one side and thecorresponding Spanish words onthe other side. Many English and Spanish wordscome from the same Latinroots. Do any in your list havethe same root?(see page 22- Language)

CelebrationsCelebrations are communalgatherings that markimportant moments in the livesof individuals, families andcommunities. These culturalevents include rites of passage,calendar holidays, nationalcelebrations and social gatherings.As in all cultures, traditional arts,rituals, stories, music and danceare expressions of a community’sfolklife.Family bonds are very strongin Mexican culture, as manycelebrations indicate. The careand raising of children are oftenshared by the grandparents andan extended family of padrinos(godparents) who contributefinancially to fiestas in honorof a child’s birth, baptism andcumpleaños (birthdays).Young magician performs during Díadel Niño event at Centro Cultural inWashington CountyQuinceañera, or the fifteenth birthday,is particularly important for teenage girls inMexican culture because it marks entry intoadulthood and signifies new responsibilities.In Oregon, many families plan quinceañerasfor their daughters that are often as largeas weddings. These typically begin with areligious ceremony followed by a fiesta wherethe girl and her chamberlains and maids dressSilvia Zurita photographed her in formal attire.quinceañera dress and coronadisplayed on her bedEl Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day),or Epiphany, January 6, marks the arrival ofthe three kings to pay homage to the InfantJesus. Traditionally, children receive gifts andeach family eats a special wreath-shaped sweetbread called rosca de reyes. Hidden inside thebread is a small figure of the Infant Jesus.Whoever finds the Infant in the bread isresponsible for hosting a party on February 2,celebrating Candelaria (Candelmas), whereA child dressed intamales are served. This is the official end of thetraditional costume forMexican celebration of the Christmas season.Christmas in MexicoEl Día del Niño,April 30, recognizesthe importance ofchildren in Mexicanfamilies and society.Communities acrossOregon plan activitiesthat entertain children.Centro Cultural inCornelius hosts ayoung magician whocaptivates the audiencewith his tricks.9Enero - January16-Año Nuevo, New Year’s DayEl Día de los Reyes, Three Kings DayFebrero - February2-Día de la Candelaria, Candlemas DayAbril - April30 - El Día del Niño, Children’s DayMayo - May5 - Cinco de Mayo, 5th of May10 - El Día de las Madres, Mother’s DaySeptiembre - September16 - Dieciséis de Septiembre, Independence DayNoviembre - November12-Día de Todos los Santos, All Saints DayEl Día de los Muertos, Day of the DeadDeciembre - December12 - Virgen de Guadalupe, Our Lady of Guadalupe16-24 - Las Posadas, nightly ritual of Mary and Josephlooking for lodging25 - Navidad, Christmas Day28 - Día de los Santos Inocentes, Holy Innocents Day

Celebrations continuedCinco de Mayo, May 5, and Dieciséisde Septiembre, September 16, are wellknown historical holidays in Mexico.Cinco de Mayo celebrates General IgnacioZaragoza’s victory over the French at Puebla.Each year the Portland-Guadalajara Sister CityAssociation organizes and produces the annualCinco de Mayo Fiesta which is held in Portland’sWaterfront Park in May. This is a communityPortland’s Cinco de Mayo festivalevent that showcases Latino family and culturalvalues including music, dance, cuisine, sports andthe arts and has evolved into Oregon’s largest multicultural activity, with an annual attendanceexceeding 300,000. In Eugene, Adelante Sí organizes Fiesta Latina to honor Latin American cultureduring Cinco de Mayo.Dieciséis de Septiembre (September 16) is Mexico’s Independence Day, commemorating the country’sseparation from Spain in 1810. Like the fourth of July in the United States, this is Mexico’s most importantnational holiday and Mexican communities throughout Oregon organize picnics,parades, speeches, games and traditional songs and dances.El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), November 2, is widelycommemorated in Mexico as the symbolic annual return of the spirits of deceasedloved ones. Families arrange ofrendas (home altars) decorated with photographs ofthe departed, personal items, images of religious figures, special breads called pande muertos, sugar skulls or calaveritas de azúcar, and other items. The tradition ofofrendas is kept alive in Oregon by individual families. Because Día de los Muertosis close to Halloween, it is fast becoming popular with the largercommunity. In Eugene, artist, community organizerand teacher Armando Morales has been buildinghome altars for the past twenty years with hisfamily and community.A skeleton decorates a Díade los Muertos altar at theOregon Historical SocietyWords to Reviewrites-of-passagerosca de reyesCinco de MayopadrinosfiestaDieciséis de SeptiembrecumpleañosCandelariaEl Día del NiñoquinceañeraLas PosadasEl Día de las Madresofrendapan de muertoEl Día de los ReyesEl Día de los MuertosSkull made by Armando Oliveda10

Image of the Virgin ofGuadalupe on the back of amatachin dancer in MedfordCelebrations continuedContemporary Mexican culture evolved from the merging of indigenous traditions withthose brought by the Spanish and the Catholic Church. These influences are easilyidentifiable in many Mexican customs.Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe holiday begins the Mexican Christmasseason with a feast on December 12. It commemorates the story of her miraculousappearance in 1531 to Juan Diego outside of Mexico City. The Lady of Guadalupecommands intense devotion by most Mexicans, and her special day is celebrated inMasses, religious parades, dances and songs. She is also honored on May 10, El Día delas Madres (Mother’s Day), because she is recognized as the mother of all Mexicans.Las Posadas (December 16-24) are folk dramas reenacting Joseph and Mary’sA religious image on ahome altarsearch for lodging in anticipation of the birth of Baby Jesus. For nine successiveevenings, a cortege of individuals dressed as Mary, Joseph, angels and shepherds goesdoor to door singing villancicos (traditional songs) asking for lodging. Each night,the occupants of the homes sing songs of refusal until the ninth evening when theresidents finally invite the procession inside to celebrate the couple’s finding a place.Usually, the host family serves traditional tamales, colación (a mixture of differentcandies), buñuelos (crispy sweet bread in syrup) and hot chocolate, atole (a drinkmade of corn flour, evaporated milk and sugar) or ponche (punch made of tea, citrus,tamarind, guava, cinnamon, tejocotes,sugarcane, and prunes).Think About This!Piñatas were originally made in the shape of a seven-pointed starand made for the Christmas season. Breaking the piñata symbolizedgood conquering evil. Nowadays, however, piñatas come in many shapesand are a favorite at children’s birthday parties and other communitycelebrations. Originally, a clay pot formed the base but contemporarypiñatas are made out of balloons orcardboard strips covered with newspaper,crepe paper and glue. Customarily, childrensing a traditional rhyme while breaking apiñata.Childrenbreaking apiñata duringa festival inHermistonDale, dale, dale,No pierdas el tino,Porque si lo pierdes,Pierdes el camino,Ya le diste uno,Ya le diste dos,Ya le diste tres,Y tu tiempo se acabóy11How does your family celebratebirthdays? Are there special things thathappen on that day? What foods do you eat and whocelebrates with you? What year’s birthday do youlook forward to the most? Why? Think about other specialoccasions that your familycelebrates and write down allof the things that help makethem special. List the federal holidayscelebrated in the United Statesand describe the meaning orreason each one is celebrated? Does your family celebrateany of these in a special way?Describe how.

Traditional Arts & CraftsTraditional Mexican artsThe Ramos Familyand crafts are often passedon within a family from motherAntonio Ramos is from theto daughter, father to son.indigenous Purépecha culture ofWoodworking, piñata making,Michoacán, Mexico. He grew up in theembroidery, crochet, corn huskvillage of Cuanajo near Lake Paztcuaro.dolls, pottery and wheatweavingAs a boy he spentare mastered by generations Traditionaltime after schoolAntonio Ramoswoodenin a family.in his family’s furniture shop. His father taughtThese traditional crafts havechanged little over hundredsof years, retainingcharacteristics thatidentify the artwork asbeing from a certainfamily, village or regionin Mexico.Many traditional arts arenow practiced in Oregonby artists such as AntonioRamos (Woodburn), CeciliaSantiago (Stanfield) andDagoberto Morales (Medford).Words to Reviewmolepozolemasks byAntonioRamoshim the traditional woodcarving and furnituremaking style of their region. Antonio and hisfamily keep this and many other traditionalactivities alive in their home in Woodburn.Ramos also teaches elementary school and is acommunity leader.Bertrand Ramos isAntonio’s brother. He also beganlearning to carve wood and makefurniture when he was 13 years oldby helping his father in the family’sfurniture shop. This style of carved andpainted furnishings, toys, boxes and decorationsis unique to their village of Cuanajo. Bertrandwas a master artist

Mexican heritage with common characteristics but also distinctive traits and cultural diff erences. An ethnic group is a group of people who come from, or whose ancestors come from, the same country or culture. Oregon’s Mexican ethnic group includes people who were born in the United States (Mexican Americans) or Mexico (Mexicans).