“Every Machete that Falls…”

Nationality: Spanish
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Performance Date: April 24th
Primary Language: English

Contextual Information

Time of Interview: April 24th, 1:05 p.m.

Location of Interview: Interior of VKC Library

Informant’s first encounter w/ Folklore: Childhood, w/ grandparents

When Folklore is performed: Often repeated in the kitchen

 

Transcript:

“This one’s a little out there. It’s ‘Machete caído, indio muerto.’ It translates to, ‘Every machete or large knife that falls causes a dead Indian.”

 

My informant recalls hearing his grandmother mention this phrase in passing whenever her grandchildren attempted to help with the cooking. She used it as a means to caution them from using sharp instruments such as knifes, blades, or any other utensils that could inflict damage.