Sonoma County Latinos share how they keep their cultural heritage alive
We've talked to Latinos around Sonoma County about the traditions and parts of cultural heritage they've chosen to keep alive and why. Here are their stories.
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Anthelma Acevedo de Arellanes
Age: 53
Country of Heritage: Mexico
Occupation: Fashion designer
Years living in the U.S.: 27 years
What is a part of your cultural heritage that you choose to keep alive and share with your family and friends here in the U.S.?
I keep traditions such as the Guelaguetza celebration, where traditional clothing from my home state of Oaxaca are showcased and accompanied by its music played by a band where sones and jarabes awaken the soul and delight one's dance moves and where the fabric, embroidery and colors mix to the rhythm of the music; Arts and crafts are enjoyed, as well as its varied gastronomy, so famous are its tlayudas, mole, quesillo, chile de agua, chocolate, pan de yema, and the drink of the gods - the mezcal. I enjoy this party with family and friends.
At home, I still cook Oaxacan style. My children and grandkids enjoy it. It's a good excuse to gather (as a family), savoring chiles stuffed with cheese, minced chicken, a red mole, or the favorite meal - memelitas (fried masa cakes) with asiento and champurrado. My daughter-in-law already knows how to make them.
Another tradition I enjoy with my grandchildren is playing La Loteria. They practice their Spanish. We talk and share stories of our ancestors as they ask for more.
What is it about this thing that you still appreciate?
I appreciate spending time and showing my friends the customs of my homeland, my roots; and (showing) my children and grandchildren that they come from a free land with many traditions, joy and music and by embracing this country's culture they'll become bicultural, bilingual and love and respect both cultures.
I do it because it comes from the heart, and it's a way to show my identity and feel proud of where I come from, which then encourages my children and grandchildren to learn about our origins and inherit that love and respect for our land.
When was the last time you experienced it?
At the Guelaguetza celebration on July 9 in downtown Santa Rosa with friends and the girls from #MissLatinaWineCountry. We participated in a catwalk, showcasing my colorful (clothing) designs, typical of Oaxaca.
On July 16 at the Guelaguetza at (Luther Burbank Center for the Arts) with friends, enjoying the food. And this past August, playing loteria with my grandchildren, eating peaches the grandchildren brought me from their orchard, and enjoyinig our family memelitas and champurrado breakfast.
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Maria Cañas
Age: 53
Country of heritage: El Salvador
Occupation: Artist
Years living in the U.S.: 32 years
What is a part of your cultural heritage that you choose to keep alive and share with your family and friends here in the U.S.?
Oral traditions and our favorite dishes are things that I keep alive in the U.S. I was raised with and through stories that were passed down generation after generation. Now, I share those stories with family and friends so as to share a part of who I am, and why I am the way I am.
I come from a family of organizers, so at a very young age, I learned to organize. My mother organized with the church, so I learned from observing her.
The traditional dishes that I continue to share with family and friends are pupusas and fried bananas with sour cream and beans. The dishes are memories and also a story, so I share with friends and family to honor and respect my heritage and bring a piece of me to this piece of land, especially on a full-moon night in Sonoma County.
What is it about this thing that you still appreciate?
The memories that take us back to times and places that do not exist in this time and place... it's like traveling back in years to situations. Especially the connection to humans through love and not hate.
When was the last time you experienced it?
I experience these things daily. I am a natural-born leader, so I exercise that in memory of my mother and grandmother and my grandfather Juan. I tell people stories every Day. ... there is always something that takes me back to a memory, so I share.
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Ariana Aparicio
Age: 28
Country of heritage: Born in Mexico City, Mexico, and raised in Puebla and West Marin
Occupation: Academic advisor at Sonoma State University
Years living in the U.S.: 18 years
What is a part of your cultural heritage that you choose to keep alive and share with your family and friends here in the U.S.?
Part of my cultural heritage that I choose to keep alive is dancing or listening to cumbia and eating traditional food like mole Poblano.
What is it about this thing that you still appreciate?
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