Category Archives: general

“Collectivism Day”

Age: 23

Interview:

I understand your family has some special politically charged traditions centered around the Fourth of July, could you expand on that?

My dad is a first-generation college student; his father immigrated here from Croatia during the reign of the USSR. My dad has a lot of the same views as my grandpa, who believed the USSR was just doing communism wrong. As a revolt, somewhat, I guess, somewhat as a welcome to the American people, my grandfather passed down a version of celebrating “Collectivism Day” as opposed to the usual Independence Day.

I understand, too the number “four” is significant to your grandfather wanting to start this tradition, why?

So my grandfather was convinced the four great bringers of communism and Marxism were Trotsky, Lenin, Stalin, and himself.

Not Marx?

Not Marx. Frankly, toward the end of his life, Grandpa got into numerology and into the “out-there” aspects of spiritualism, and so while originally the idea of the four started as a personal goal, he eventually saw it as more of a prophecy where on a particular Fourth of July he would lead the revolution.

So let’s talk about the actual day, what do you do to celebrate?

Grandpa wanted the day to appeal to Americans, and so he borrowed a lot of iconography and traditions, for instance, the hot dog swap, where we’d make a bunch, but to emphasize collectivism, we’d cut them into 5-6 pieces, and then everyone would give away all of their pieces but one and still eventually be left with a whole hot dog with swapped pieces from every other party present. In the typical sort of fashion where when you’re little you don’t get how Santa works, I didn’t really understand the significance of the hot dog swap; I just thought it was sort of a fun thing. The collectivist message was lost on my six-year-old brain.

Do you plan on passing this tradition down to your kids?

I do, but there are certain parts of the holiday I might not continue… like the choosing of the Kulak.

What is that?

Eh…I don’t really want to talk about it. (Interviewee seemed uncomfortable by the question.)

That’s okay! Is there anything else you want to share?

At the very least, Collectivism Day will be a way for my children to connect with their heritage. At the most, Collectivism Day could be the domino that topples the American Empire as we know it. Who is to say?

Context:

F is discussing a tradition within his family that is a recently immigrated Czech family in the Bay Area. The tradition mixes the elements of the grandfather’s exposure to communism in USSR-controlled Czechoslovakia with American food and nationalistic celebrations. The celebration takes place on the traditional American holiday of the Fourth of July, but runs counter to the celebration, even serving as a protest.

My interpretation:

This is an interesting blend of a lot of folklore elements with an American twist. There are elements of prophecy, superstition, counter-hegemonic behavior, and straining to keep a sense of tradition within a family structure uprooted by the move to another country. I think this tradition is a little bit of the grandfather straining for identity in a place that doesn’t conform to his ideology.

Fiesta Days in Vacaville

Text:

So I understand that you have a festival in your hometown. Do you want to talk about that?

Yeah, so it’s called the Fiesta Days parade, or it’s a Fiesta Days. Just the Fiesta Days. It’s a festival in late May every year in Vacaville and what happens is basically it starts off with this parade of, I don’t know, like, 30 different, probably more like 50, different bands, floats, just anything can be included. Like cool cars, anything like that can go through the main street of the town in this parade. And everybody from the community kind of comes out for it and watches it. It’s a great way for everyone to come together.

What’s kind of the theme of the celebration or are the floats themed? How did it arise?

I honestly don’t know too much about the history. But the theme is mostly… It’s kind of like Mexican-adjacent. It’s why it’s called the Fiesta Days. Honestly, not too many of the floats really like followed that theme. A lot of marching bands are from local high schools and middle schools and it’s more like the spectacle of all of it all, but I guess the general theme of it would be Mexican. There’s Mexican food, trucks and stuff. And then they have some, you know, like, I don’t know, mariachi bands and things that will play sometimes. Yeah.

How long have he lived in Bacaville? 

I’ve lived there. Well, I lived there my entire life before coming to USC.

Did your parents live there at all for like any period of time? 

They…Not without me.

So do you know how long, like, at least, like, people have celebrated this in Bacaville or? 

Um, man. I honestly am not sure, but I think it’s a pretty longstanding tradition. I’d say it probably dates back to at least the 80s. 

Awesome. Thank you so much.

Context:

The interviewee is discussing a festival he has seen since his childhood that takes place in his hometown of Vacaville. The festival is associated with a certain time and space within the year, always within late May, signaling the ceremonial switch from spring into summer. The celebration is ethnic in nature, although not exclusively, and not binding to the participants.

My Interpretation:

I think this is a classic example of a naturally arising community-based festival that celebrates a period of transition between two periods of the year. The nature of the event is interesting, as it is called “Fiesta Days” basically just meaning “party days,” but it doesn’t lean too heavily into its latin tilt nor require participants to dress a certain way, speak Spanish, or theme their floats entirely with a Latin American theme. The inclusion of “cool cars” and other items make the event seem like a celebration of wealth and status within the community, while also feeding everyone and displaying creativity through the floats.

Porch Concerts on Mardi Gras

Age: 23

Hey, so I understand that you have a specific tradition surrounding Mardi Gras. Do you wanna tell me about it?

Yeah, so every Mardi Gras on the second Saturday, it’s Endymion and that parade usually takes place in mid city, so a different part of town from where we live. We’re usually right on the parade route, but for this one, we’re a little far and it’s a little less convenient to go watch the parades. 

So for the past several years, we’ve been doing a porch concert where we get numerous local musicians to set up and play on the porch and invite the whole neighborhood to come out and it’s usually a pretty good time. We end up getting, probably 100 people boiling a bunch of crawfish and stuff.

So as far as contacting local musicians and any of that stuff, how did this idea originate? Was it your dad’s idea or, you know, how do you think it came to be? 

Honestly, it was my parents drinking on the porch with their musician friends and then just kind of everybody hanging out and playing and then thinking, you know, this would be really cool if we made a party out of it and that’s kind of how it ended up being born.

Do you think that this is something that is very New Orleans, like, could only really happen there? Do you think this is something that is kind of a result of the place that you’re from or that your parents live and drink on the porch? 

Yeah, I think it’s pretty specific to New Orleans because there isn’t really a time where there are so many people just walking about on the street, so many people available on a weekend because on that weekend, like, honestly, those two weeks, your only plans are Mardi Gras. So I think it’d be harder to bring people together. And also just the access to musicians.  There’s so many in the city and so many that you’re just going to end up being friends with. So I think that closeness makes it easier, but, but yeah, I mean, I’m sure you could have a successful porch concert anywhere.

Context:

This celebration takes place in New Orleans during Mardi Gras celebrations. The origin of them celebrating this way has root in the immensely social nature of the culture surrounding New Orleans, mixed with how all-encompassing the celebration of Mardi Gras is in their lives. The little festival they hold is a sub-festival of a larger celebration and tradition, but with the same elements—musicians, drinking, etc.

My Interpretation:

This seems to be a festival that was born out of the unique circumstances of living in New Orleans, mixed with the convenience of not having to venture so far to celebrate Mardi Gras. The micro-festival is a natural offshoot of the main event.

‘Spraying’ Money on the Bride

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At Nigerian weddings, especially among Yoruba and Igbo families, there’s a tradition called “spraying” where guests throw or place money on the bride and groom as they dance. My friend described it as a moment where the music is playing loudly, and everyone crowds the dance floor to celebrate the couple. People use small bills, often $1s or $5s, and place them gently on the bride’s head or shoulders while she dances. Sometimes the groom gets sprayed too, but it’s more focused on the bride. Someone is usually assigned to pick up the money and keep it safe. The mood is exciting, and the spraying is seen as a way of showing love, joy, and support.

Context:

I interviewed my friend who is Nigerian-American and has attended several Nigerian weddings, both in the U.S. and in Nigeria. She said she first saw money-spraying as a kid at her cousin’s wedding and thought it looked like “a fun way to make it rain.” But now that she’s older, she sees it as something deeper. She said, “It’s not just about the money … it’s our way of saying we’re proud of you, we’re happy for you, and we’re blessing your marriage.” She also mentioned that it brings people together, elders, friends, everyone joins in. Even if someone doesn’t have much money, they’ll still spray a little just to be part of the celebration.

Interpretation:

This tradition showcases the communal nature of weddings in Nigerian culture. It’s not just about two individuals getting married, but about the whole community showing up to support them. Spraying money is a public display of care and pride, and it helps preserve cultural practices even for Nigerians living abroad. In the U.S., continuing this tradition at weddings creates a sense of connection to home and heritage. It also flips the usual Western expectation of giving money privately in a card. Here, it’s done out loud, in front of everyone, as part of the celebration itself. This reflects a cultural value of openness and generosity

Oji (Kola Nut)

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Object:
Oji (Kola Nut) – “Symbol of Hospitality and Unity”

Context:
The informant, I, remembers her father often asking her to bring the Oji to the table when guests were coming over. This was a tradition in their family, especially for important visits. She says her father would break the Oji and offer pieces to the guests as a sign of welcome and respect. This happened during family gatherings or when visitors from outside their community arrived.

Analysis:
The Oji holds deep cultural significance in Igbo society, representing hospitality, unity, and respect for guests. The act of breaking the Oji is not just about sharing food, but about symbolically breaking down barriers and creating a bond between host and guest. The ceremonial act reinforces the value of community and the importance of acknowledging and honoring those who visit. The passing down of this practice within families highlights the role of tradition in maintaining cultural ties and fostering a sense of belonging. Through this ritual, the Oji serves as a powerful reminder of the communal values and customs that are central to Igbo identity.