Book Description

This publication is intended as a resource guide for teachers, students, and librarians interested in Mexican American culture, and for groups wishing to conduct local community research using oral histories. The Mexican American Traditions in Nebraska project was designed to document and preserve the richness of Nebraska's Mexican culture. The project gathered the stories of 50 tradition bearers and community leaders from across the state. Interviews revealed that church, family, work, pride, respect for age and wisdom, and endurance in the face of poverty and discrimination are recurring themes among Nebraska's Mexican Americans. Some traditions such as music, dance, and food thrive, while other customs, such as the recitation of dichos (traditional proverbs) fade. Over the generations, use of the Spanish language is ebbing. As the language is forgotten, some traditions are not fully passed on to the next generation. As some traditions disappear, others are being revitalized, such as marking the site of traffic fatalities with crosses and flowers. Three other expressions of cultural values documented by the project are military service, sports, and murals. This publication presents a brief history of Mexican American emigration to Nebraska, followed by a general overview of project results and significant patterns identified. Short descriptions of each of the interviewees and the topics they discussed are presented. A resource guide presents 29 organizations, publications, and media productions. (TD)