Text: Informant: I know as a kid– I grew up in a fairly predominantly hispanic neighborhood– there was this cake. It’s like this big pastry, and each person gets a slice. One of them has the baby Jesus. It’s supposed to represent Jesus in everything. It’s also supposed to be good luck. You’re like receiving… Continue Reading »
Main Piece: Informant- Dinner prayer: “God bless this food which now we take and do us good for Jesus sake.” Interviewer- Do you add or take away things when repeating the prayer? Informant- I always keep the beginning, but I add specific stuff at the end. Never more than a short phrase Interviewer- Where did… Continue Reading »
Context: The following informant, S, is a 59 yr. old man with three kids and a wife. Though the family does not identify as Christian, they celebrate Christmas and participate in the Christian tradition of Advent. This conversation took place when the informant was asked about any specific family traditions surrounding holidays. Text: S: “So…… Continue Reading »
Main Piece You know the story of Robert Johnson, right? He traded his soul to the devil to play guitar. So the idea is that the devil never holds his side of the bargain, so this is why you never make a deal with the devil. So this is like the most famous rock and… Continue Reading »
Content and Context: Informant -“I remember my mother did this several times. At the Christmas meal, my mother would set an extra seat and an extra place setting. Now the tradition is in case someone shows up, but I always associated it with the people who weren’t with us. That’s how I like to think… Continue Reading »