The Isleños are said to be a dying traditional American subculture. Descendants of Canary Island immigrants of Louisiana, the name Isleños was given to them to distinguish them from Spanish mainlanders, known as "peninsulares." But in Louisiana, the name evolved from a category to an identity. For a long time they were one of those rare subcultures that found a way to maintain a living tradition as the world around them modernised by carving out a livelihood as crabbers and 'shrimpers'. Then Katrina hit and the wetlands, which were central to the Isleños identity, essentially dissapeared. Despite the blow to their economy, they still have their songs and annual fiestas, evidence of a strong culture which binds their community together, and their rebuilding following Katrina demonstrated how strong that sense of identity and culture can be. So perhaps the Isleños shouldn't be written off just yet, then. After all, as Isleño Irvan Perez says, "This is home. Where else would we go?"
posted by Effigy2000 on Dec 7, 2008 - 7 comments

Get your Yom Kippur Piñatas here! Why atone for your sins in shul when you can just whack the heck out of a carboard horsey? If you'd like to carry the south-of-the-border theme through, you can play music by these guys. Or kick it old-shul with this classic. You could just gather for a traditional game of swing the chicken, but maybe not for a kids' party.
posted by ericbop on Sep 29, 2006 - 16 comments

"If Miller had his way, America would be nothing but one big fiesta for illegal aliens and homosexuals." [mp3; indirect link] We've discussed his TV ad, but Vernon Robinson's new radio ad takes it to the next level, with shocked gasps, a cheesy voiceover artist, and Mariachi music. Mr. Robinson says he's never done any negative campaigning. [via]
posted by kirkaracha on May 31, 2006 - 48 comments

Mañana November 2nd is the “Day of the Dead” Linked here two years ago; and adding a link for Spanish speakers. Perhaps most famously known through the Skull of Catrina by the late great José Guadalupe Posada. Some Quotes for the day. And finally why not participate if in San Francisco.
posted by adamvasco on Nov 1, 2005 - 7 comments