My culture’s history is not bound in one space.  It is not bound in the spanish language as perhaps the title of this blog entry might suggest.  What is my culture?  What are my people?  Our story is vague, spans continents and countries.  We are americans, I suppose.

Slash.  I am thinking of this stuff this evening, as I spent a couple hours this afternoon at a celebration for the opening of las Fiestas de Mora, particularly learning about la historia de la gente de Mora and the land grants.  It was beautiful.  truly.  The Archuleta brothers, who call themselves Agua Negra, came to the long room of Tapetes to share a corrido (ballad) about the history of Mora.  An oral, musical history, educating persons on the history of their community and culture.  And it’s awe-ing to think, that so many of these people can trace THEIR family’s history, the history of THEIR land and community, because they have made their homes and communities in a place where they STAY, generation after generation.  I once read online that something like 75% of the population of Mora county has been here for three generations…and likely MORE!

How complicated it might be for me to trace the history of my family.  I think of my hometown…but my family was not the early colonist who settled that community.  I think of my parents’ hometowns…but their families were not the early colonists who settled those communities.  I think of my grandparents, but their families were not the early colonists who settled those communities…the history goes back and back to countries spread out across Europe, and immigrants later arriving at Ellis Island.  and while the history, if I traced it, is likely fascinating–  I, personally, have little connection to ANY OF IT.  The stories of my ancestors do not feel like my story.

What I do believe though, is that for people, like the people of Mora, or of El Derramaderro, Guanajuanto, Mexico, the history of those communities feels like the history of those people.  past present and future.

So it’s interesting.  The Archuletas spoke about teaching children in school about the history of their people and community, and in a place like Mora, I think it is SO ESSENTIAL.  I think the history and the connection to the history is innate.  I think that in this changing world, for the generation of youth to understand their peoples and what that land means to their peoples and where they come from could ultimately create a deep sense of pride and connection to their land and peoples.  And maybe, then kids won’t be swept up in everyday American livelihood.  Maybe these kids will understand the value of working land, of monetary poverty, but richness of life and necessities.  I don’t know.

thoughts thoughts thoughts.