Author Archives: Jocelyn Torres

Religious Tradition – Romania

Nationality: Caucasian
Age: 25
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Performance Date: April 19, 2008
Primary Language: Rumanian
Language: French, English, Spanish, Swedish

Feast of the Assumption

A major religious event takes place annually on August 15 near the Maramures village of Moisei. Villagers from around the county make pilgrimages to Moisei’s monastery for the Feast of the Assumption. Walking in village groups, sometimes for two days or more, the worshipers carry crosses and holy pictures. The majority of walkers are children and young people. In a scene reminiscent of first Communion, little girls wear pretty white dresses with white flowers, headbands or ribbons adorning their hair.

After leaving the main road, the procession continues another mile and a half up a moderately steep dirt and rock road before reaching the spacious grounds of the monastery. Most groups arrive on the 14th, so the grass is covered with clusters of people who have spread blankets out and are enjoying the chance to socialize and catch up on news from neighboring villages. Some gather in a long open-fronted shelter which has been set up for the pilgrims. Many, especially the elderly, kneel in prayer before various icons set up around the grounds. Others worship in a small wooden church, typical of the region, dating to 1672 or in a larger, modern church nearby. On the 15th, priests lead special services for the thousands who have gathered in the wooded setting.

The Feast of the Assumption celebrates the Virgin Mary assumption into heaven. Mary is considered to be pure which explains why little girls are dressed up in white dresses and the flowers in their hair. It also no coincidence that the procession ends at the top of a hill which could be assumed to be closer to Heaven.

Riddle – United States of America

Nationality: Mexican
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Huntington Park, CA
Performance Date: February 09, 2008
Primary Language: Spanish
Language: English

What do you call a lesbian dinosaur?

—A LICKALOTTAPUSS!

Carlos said that he learned this joke from a cousin of his while he was in middle school. He attended middle school in southern California. He does not remember exactly what age he was when he first heard it, but he guesses to have been between the age of 11 and 14. The riddle is told randomly with no real introduction. The riddle can be told anywhere but is usually only told to those of about the same age.

I asked Carlos why he repeated the riddle to other and he simply answered “because it’s funny”. The riddle seems to be more than just funny. It appears to be part of the transitional period between child and adult. The child is leaving behind the fantasy world of dinosaurs and other creatures which they play with and the sexualized American adult life. It is a period when ideas of sexual orientation play a big part because as children grow up they began to gain a sexual identity.

Superstition – Italy

Nationality: Italian
Age: 38
Occupation: Professor
Residence: Venice, CA
Performance Date: April 07, 2008
Primary Language: Italian
Language: French, English, Latin, German

In bocca lupo

In the mouth of the wolf

—Crepo!

–Might the wolf die

This is a way of wishing someone good luck without actually saying it. According to Francesca, it is similar to the English “Break a leg”. This is said right before an exam, a performance, or any other kind of activity wish one needs to be wished good luck for. She first heard this when she was a college student in Italy. She believes it became popular because agguri, the former way of wishing luck, was too formal, and students are always looking to be different. It is now believed that saying agguri brings the person it was said to misfortune.

Francesca says this phrase to her students before every quiz or exam she gives. My previous Italian professor said this to me when I mentioned I was getting married during the break. The phrase seems to be applied to almost every situation.

As opposed to Francesca, I do not believe that this phrase is similar to “break a leg”. “In bocca lupo” can be applied to many different situations unlike “break a leg” which is usually used in theatrical performances. It also differs because a person must answer “Crepo!” while with the other nothing has to be said. I do believe that they both serve a similar purpose, not conforming to the norm which society has previously decided. I heard this phrase before from another Italian professor at the University of Southern California. It seems that this phrase is part of college folklore or more specifically Italian speaking college students.

Tradition – Italy

Nationality: Italian
Age: 38
Occupation: Professor
Residence: Venice, CA
Performance Date: April 07, 2008
Primary Language: Italian
Language: French, English, Latin, German

La Fraschetta

La Fraschetta is a winery where the peasants store their wine. It is located near huge vineyards which are famous for their white wine. The farmers keep the high quality wine in the winery, and sell the lower quality wine to the tourists.  This wine cellar is opened at night to the public and wooden seats and tables are set up. Families bring their own food and drink the wine that has been stored there. These gatherings are very popular during the spring and summer because it is good weather for being outside. They are a place for socialization.  Those who work in the vineyards get to meet others who work in the same industry.

Like many other traditions, this Italian tradition has been picked up by tourists. In the beginning, the winery was only opened to those who worked in the vineyards. It was an attraction for those in the social lower class who did not have much money to spend on fancy gatherings. Recently, according to Francesca, this has become a tourist attraction. One thing has not changed; tourists are still given the bad wine.

I found it interesting that music was not present at this social event. It seems that the majority of social traditions have some kind of music involved. It was also interesting that Francesca, who attended on of these gatherings when she lived in Frascati, said that the event was bizarre. From the way she described the gathering I do not see what is so bizarre about it. I will most likely not find out until I attend one of these gatherings myself.

Wedding Ritual/Religious Folklore – Mexico

Nationality: Mexican
Age: 38
Occupation: Secretary
Residence: Las Vegas, NV
Performance Date: March 27, 2008
Primary Language: Spanish
Language: English

Esposo: (nombre de la esposa)recibe estas arras como prenda del cuidado que tendre de que no falte lo necesario en nuestro hogar.

Groom: (Name of the Bride) Take these coins as a guarantee of the care I will have to make sure that everything necessary will be not be missing from our home.

Esposa: Yo las recibo en senal del cuidado que tendre de que todo se aproveche en nuestro hogar.

Bride: I receive these coins as a sign of the care I will have to make sure that everything is taken advantage of in our home.

The thirteen coins which are called arras are exchanged between the bride and groom during the recitation of the promises shown above. The first twelve coins represent each month of the year and the last or thirteenth coin represents the poor. This exchange of coins is only performed during marriage ceremonies in Catholic Churches specifically those in Mexico and has recently appeared in the U.S. due to the large amount of immigrants arriving from south of the border.

Veronica told me that she believes the exchange of the coins signify the financial responsibilities both share. She also believes the tradition is carried on because it helps make the couple conscious of the economic hardships they might face. She herself performed this exchange during her wedding in the late 1980s in Mexico.

I knew about this tradition, but I was never aware of what the act represented. I had an idea that it was related to money, but did not know much else. I do agree with Veronica’s interpretation of what the coins represent and the purpose they serve. I feel as though this tradition is slowly disappearing in the U.S. especially because it is only performed when requested by the bride or groom, and because religious wedding have become less popular.

Reference:

Williams, Norma. The Mexican American Family: Tradition and Change. New York: General Hall, 1990. p.31