Author Archives: Aaron Fotedar

The Sea Snake Dance

Nationality: Mexican
Age: 58
Occupation: Retired Federal Officer
Residence: Henderson, Nevada
Language: English

Text: Before I moved to the United States I attended a wedding in Mexico city, where I was born, and witnessed The Sea Snake Dance for the first time. A song, La Vibora de la Mar, began to play. Simultaneously, all the adults began clinging together and forming a large circle. I wasn’t allowed to join the circle as my mom said it was unsafe for me. The bride and groom stood on opposing tables and reached out one arm towards the other. Then, the human snake ran under their arms and sung the song.

Context: Informant describes first seeing this Hispanic wedding tradition when they were a young child still living in Mexico City. They described their time in the United States, where they have spent the majority of their life, and claim that they have only seen The Sea Snake Dance performed at a select few hispanic weddings. Informant believes this tradition is performed as a gift from the attendees of the wedding, wishing the newly weds a joyous and faithful marriage. The snake, to the informant, is representative of the potential struggles the newly married will face.

Analysis:

I believe this tradition to be rather fascinating, especially its lack of presence in the American- Hispanic wedding scene. The informant, who is now a marriage officiant who primarily serves the Hispanic community, describes not seeing many examples of the Sea Snake Dance in the United States. The few times they have seen it performed, they expressed being shocked. This, to me, is very representative of the changing beliefs that are produced when two cultures fuse. With the population of Mexico being mainly Roman Catholic, marriage holds a very prominent role in their society. In the United States, however, marriage has become less and less meaningful as divorce rates continue to rise. This is likely why the informant does not witness many replications of the wedding ritual that is so common to Hispanic culture. This lacking of reproduction is representative of folk- traditions ability to change in a parallel fashion to those who perform it.

The Traditions of the Prophet Elijah

Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Culver City, CA
Language: English

Text: For as long as I can remember my mom has been leaving our front door open for Passover. We do this because we believe the Prophet Elijah will enter our household and potentially introduce the return of the Messiah. Though I believe this to be a little excessive, as we don’t live in the safest of communities, I recognize its importance due to how long the tradition has been continued. We also pour a specific kind of wine, known as Elijah’s cup, near the entrance of the house.

Context: Informant describes being a follower of Judaism, though they are less strict on themselves, in terms of following the laws of the religion, than prior generations. They also describe Passover as being one of the two most important holidays in the Jewish Community. Informant believes that this act of pouring wine near an open front door will allow for the Prophet Elijah, who is the herald for the Messiah, to enter the household and initiate the return of the Messiah.

Analysis:

I believe this piece of tradition to exist at the crossroads between religious tradition and folk practice. When talking to the informant about this tradition, they brought up the fact that they have Jewish neighbors who do not open their door or pour any wine at all. Informant also describes some people who only open the door or only pour wine to welcome the Prophet Elijah. This, to me, is very representative of the multiplicity and variation that Dundes suggest is necessary in folklore. It is also clear that this entire folk- tradition is essentially a performance. Though their belief may be strong, it may be clear to many, as it is to the informant, that a physical entity will not enter the household. So then, this act becomes a way of tying a community close together through shared actions.

Examination Outfit

Age: 20
Occupation: Undergraduate Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text: I tend to get very stressed over exams in college. It is not for a reason revolving around a lack of preparation, rather a sense of worry attributed to the cost of tuition. Because of this, I have a superstition that I truly believe works in aiding my best effort during these exams. I wear the same, cozy, outfit to each and every exam. I ensure that my grey sweatpants and grey sweatshirt and ready for me to wear the night before any major test, to ensure that I can succeed.

Context: Informant describes first performing in accordance to this superstition their sophomore year of college when they began the organic chemistry series. Though they are a very smart individual who vigorously prepares, they have recently believed in this superstition due to wearing this outfit during a crucial examination. Informant relays a small story describing their first organic chemistry exam, where they didn’t feel prepared enough but still received an exceptional grade. They were wearing the gey sweatpants and sweatshirt during this exam. From that point on, the informant has decided to continue wearing this outfit during academic examinations, furthering their belief in the clothings’ magical effect on them during the test- taking process.

Analysis:

I find this superstition to be very interesting in its ability to help me understand the origins of superstitions. The informant describes a story in which they first experienced what they believe to be a magical effect produced by the wearing of a specific outfit. This event occurred at a time where they did not believe that their own skills were purely responsible for the grade they achieved. Because of this, they are now convinced that the clothing they were had a magical role in assisting them. I am now firm in believing that this archetype, one in which some inanimate object or odd activity is used as the justification for success in replacement of ones own ability, is prominent in the creation of superstitions.

Hispanic Funeral Customs

Nationality: Mexican
Age: 58
Occupation: Retired Federal Officer
Residence: Henderson, Nevada
Language: English

Text: Traditional Mexican funerals are very different that those in the United States. They last anywhere from 2-3 days, and involve lots of food, alcohol, and music. One of the most prominent customs involves the carrying of the the casket to the cemetery site. I can recall numerous funeral services, all in Mexico City, that I would describe as being more fun that sad. This differs from my funeral experience in the United States, which is centered more around the mourning of the deceased.

Context: Informant describes bearing witness to these hispanic funeral traditions many times while attending services in Mexico City. However, they have never witnessed such actions occur in the United States, even at Mexican- American funerals. Informant acknowledges the differences in ideologies between many Americans and Hispanics to be the fundamental reason for this observation. They claim that the people of Mexico do not view death to be the end of ones soul, but the transition into an afterlife. Because of this, their physical loss is met with a celebratory sequence, ackowledging the continuation of their soul.

Analysis:

As someone who has never attended a funeral in general, I was quite shocked to here of the funeral traditions of Hispanic weddings. I was especially surprised to hear about how the coffin is carried throughout the street to the cemetery. At an initial glance, from the perspective of someone born in the United States, I thought it was slightly disrespectful. However, this exposure has helped me understand how many hispanics view with cycle of life and the issue of death. By seeing death as the departure of the soul to an afterlife, rather than the elimination of the soul, these customs become very understandable. The difference in customs between cultures also allowed me to see how customs are a product of people, just as much as people are a product of customs.

Elopement Vows

Nationality: Mexican
Age: 58
Occupation: Retired Federal Officer
Residence: Henderson, Nevada
Language: English

Text: When I decided to get married to my, now, ex-husband we decided to have a small wedding. So small that the only people present were him, the priest, and myself. Although their were no guests, we still prepared our Vows for one- another and spoke then when directed to. It was a beautiful ceremony, all that I had hoped for, and keeping our vows between each other deepened our connection.

Context: Informant describes the decision behind why they decided to have an elopement. Due to clashing cultures, that of a Hispanic woman and of a Kashmiri man, the informant was nervous of the traditions that would have to take place at such a diverse wedding. Because of this, the informant decided the wedding should be held with only a priest present. Informant understands that this choice was rather unorthodox, but discusses her need for traditions of a wedding, such as the exchange of vows, still being present. To the informant, this shows that weddings do not need to follow all customs and traditions that are culturally approved, but the ones a couple sees fit.

Analysis: I think this piece is elegant in its way of explaining how folk- tradition, such as weddings, is an event that can undergo changes based on those who are performing it. It portrays how folk traditions remain resilient through variation. This specific examples does not relay the story of those who reject traditional wedding practices, but adapted them to fit their own personal needs. In doing so, it became clear that folklore is an always changing genre that accommodates the needs of a changing society.