Before delving into Aztec Angel, closer examination of Chicano literature will serve as an excellent primer for understanding how Salinas felt when writing the piece. After a turbulent 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, the Chicano movement has made a significant impact on societal change. At the heart of the movement is a sense of pride in their Chicano heritage and keeping culture alive through writing, helping unite other Mexican Americans identify with the issues needing change. According to an article on the ChicanoMovement.Wikispaces.com, the three main goals of the Chicano Movement were: restoration of land, rights for farm workers, and education reforms. One of the primary goals of the modern Chicanos has been to voice the disparities between their upbringings versus the more privileged Anglo-Saxon experience.
The European part being mainly the melodies and harmony of the Andalucia region of Spain (the homeland of the Conquistadors), while the African part in Salsa is mainly from the western coast of Africa where the slave trade was most prevalent.” ("Justsalsa.com," n.d, p. 1) It is said that “Between 1930 and 1960 there were musicians from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and South America coming to New York to perform. They brought their own native rhythms and musical forms with them, but as they listened to each other and played music together, the musical influences mixed, fused and evolved.” (latinmusic.about.com, Lilich, n.d, p. 1) “This type of musical hybridization gave birth to the 1950s creation of the mambo from son, conjunto and jazz traditions. Continuing musical fusion went on to include what we know today as the cha cha cha, rhumba, conga and, in the 1960s, salsa.” (latinmusic.about.com, Lilich, n.d, p. 1) The type of instruments used in salsa music is what makes salsa music so unique. Salsa music has a heavy use of percussion (clave, maracas, conga, bongo, tambora, bato, cowbell.) Other salsa instruments include
These revolutions followed the American and French Revolutions, which had profound effects on the Spanish, Portuguese and French colonies in the Americans. Simon Bolivar was an influence of the Latin American Revolution. His goals were to mold the former Spanish colonies of South America into a confederation just like the U.S. The Latin American War of Independence comprised numerous wars and conflicts which took place between 1808 - 1829. He fought against Spanish rule in 1811 with the inspiration of George Washington.
In Spanish theatrical productions music and dance were very important elements and were very popular to the Spanish speaking culture. In the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries a typical Spanish theatrical orchestra included instruments such as violins, harps, and guitars. From this, a variety of regional music was developed and amongst them was mariachi. A mariachi band is usually composed of six to twelve musicians dressed in charro clothing, which brings out the essence of Mexico and its people. The word mariachi according to OxfordDictionary.com means, “denoting a type of traditional Mexican folk music, typically performed by a small group of strolling musicians dressed in native costume.” Although this definition sums up the
Each type is served on two overlapped small tortillas and sometimes garnished with guacamole, salsa, onions, and cilantro (coriander). Also prepared on the grill is a sandwiched taco called mulita ("little mule") made with meat served between two tortillas and garnished with Oaxaca style cheese. "Mulita" is used to describe these types of sandwiched tacos in the Northern States of Mexico, while they are known as Gringa in the Mexican south and are prepared using wheat flour tortillas. Tacos may also be served with
Corn, millet, rice, cassava, plantain, green bananas, or varieties of yams may be used. For eating, the mixture is formed into small halls with three fingers of the right hand then dipped into sauces or relishes made from fish, meat, or vegetables – almost always spicy hot. G: Gumbo: with a consistency between a soup and a stew, gumbo is derived from the African Bantu word for okra. Simmered gently with spicy seasoning, okra, and other vegetables, gumbos take their name from the main seafood or meat ingredient and are usually served over wild rice. In America, gumbos are a treasured part of Creole cuisine.
The montuno involves a rhythmic backbeat infused with often-improvised solos. These solos became the focus of the mambo, and the most important part of the song. Danzon is widely considered the official style of music in Cuba. The danzon style of music was heavily influenced by the French-Haitian contradance, which was imported to Cuba from Haiti. Originally, danzon orchestras consisted of e typical orchestra instruments.
About 60% of the Dominicans are of mixed Caucasian-Black descent, about 35% are black and 5% are white (Pariser, 1998, p. 55). . Although the Indians have long vanished, their spirit lives on in traditions, in the foods (casabe), names of places (Jaragua, Canoa), and innumerable words such as “hammock” (Pariser, 1998, p. 53). African influence is also strong and Dominicans love music that mixes the rhythmic pounding of African drums with the rattle of Spanish maracas, and dancing the meringue (The World Book Encyclopedia,
My Hispanic heritage means tradition, celebration, language, belief, and the most important this is keeping the values of my heritage. My family is from the Dominican Republic, The Land of Merengue. The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic is rich in music, historic landmarks, beaches, and patriotic festivals. The Dominican citizens and their customs became a mix of Africans, Tainos, and Europeans.
For example: An Areyto is a Taino Festival usually followed by a birth, death, victory or defeat. During Areyto (like many socio-religious festivals) food plays an important part. Typically, the menu would consist of roast “jutias” (baby pig), chili peppers, fried fish, shellfish, root vegetables, yautias (similar to a potato or yams), and an alcoholic drink made from fermented corn juice may have been offered. (Balletto, 2007) From the period of slavery to present day special foods are offered on special occasions or holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Sorrel (hibiscus Sabdriffa), an annual plant also call rosell, is used during the Christmas season celebration.