Zamora-Melgoza: MLO5
MLO 5: Cultural Praxis
As a CSUMB undergraduate Spanish major student not only did I had to take courses to fulfill all my majors’ MLO’s and graduate but I also had to demonstrate that I had been actively immersed in and had internalize a Hispanic culture. In order to fulfill this MLO I decided to take the second pathway option; which is living and working in a local heritage community over an extended period of time and without interruptions. Not only have I lived in Salinas CA, a Spanish speaking migrant community for over two years but I am a native born Mexican.
The city of Salinas is a predominantly Mexican immigrant town filled with Mexican culture and traditions in every corner: Mexican restaurants, little markets, cultural and social events, and so on. Here people speak Spanish not only at home but also in public places: stores, schools, recreation areas, etc. Salinas is also host to events such as las fiestas patrias del 16 de septiembre (Mexican Independence Day), el día de la familia, el Día de los muertes amongst others.
As a child, until about age 11, I lived in a small town of Michoacán, Mexico. Michoacán is a lively and unique state full of folklore located in the Western side of Mexico. It is a place of perfect fusion between natural beauty, picturesque towns, unique handmade art, and wonderful culture and traditions. Michoacán is also home to the invisible Purepecha Empire that dominated almost entirely the center of the country. Some of the most predominant and popular traditions in Michoacán and that I have experienced include: el baile de los viejitos (dance of the old men), el baile de la tarima (traditional stage dance), las fiestas patronales (local festivals that are held in honor of a saint), celebrations of el Día de los muertos (Day of the Dead), among others. While living in the small town of San Antonio Ocampo, Michoacán I not only got to experience the traditions of Michoacán but also its lifestyle. I did this through attending school, going out with my family to la plaza (local park), and through enjoying life in general. I still experience most of this things because every year I go back to Michoacán for about a month.
As a CSUMB undergraduate Spanish major student not only did I had to take courses to fulfill all my majors’ MLO’s and graduate but I also had to demonstrate that I had been actively immersed in and had internalize a Hispanic culture. In order to fulfill this MLO I decided to take the second pathway option; which is living and working in a local heritage community over an extended period of time and without interruptions. Not only have I lived in Salinas CA, a Spanish speaking migrant community for over two years but I am a native born Mexican.
The city of Salinas is a predominantly Mexican immigrant town filled with Mexican culture and traditions in every corner: Mexican restaurants, little markets, cultural and social events, and so on. Here people speak Spanish not only at home but also in public places: stores, schools, recreation areas, etc. Salinas is also host to events such as las fiestas patrias del 16 de septiembre (Mexican Independence Day), el día de la familia, el Día de los muertes amongst others.
As a child, until about age 11, I lived in a small town of Michoacán, Mexico. Michoacán is a lively and unique state full of folklore located in the Western side of Mexico. It is a place of perfect fusion between natural beauty, picturesque towns, unique handmade art, and wonderful culture and traditions. Michoacán is also home to the invisible Purepecha Empire that dominated almost entirely the center of the country. Some of the most predominant and popular traditions in Michoacán and that I have experienced include: el baile de los viejitos (dance of the old men), el baile de la tarima (traditional stage dance), las fiestas patronales (local festivals that are held in honor of a saint), celebrations of el Día de los muertos (Day of the Dead), among others. While living in the small town of San Antonio Ocampo, Michoacán I not only got to experience the traditions of Michoacán but also its lifestyle. I did this through attending school, going out with my family to la plaza (local park), and through enjoying life in general. I still experience most of this things because every year I go back to Michoacán for about a month.