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Charro Days
The following account is adapted from "My Mother Sings," originally
published in Ethnic Australia, edited by Manfred Jurgensen
(Brisbane, Australia: Phoenix Publications, 1981).
Mother looked beautiful in her regional costume, dressed for our annual
Fiesta del Charro. She embroidered an intricate design of red roses on
the blouse she made. Her shawl was draped correctly around the waist,
crossed at the back, drawn over the shoulders with the fringed ends
flowing down the front. The long black skirt with coloured ribbons sewn
all around the hem, as worn in Uruapan, her birthplace, caressed her
ankles. Shimmering glass beads circled her neck and wrists. Gold
earrings hung at her ears. Multicoloured ribbons were braided into her
thick black hair.
The Fiesta del Charro, held annually during the
month of February, consisted of a week's celebration of Mexican culture
which took place in my hometown, Brownsville, Texas. The otherwise
vigilant and aggressive border authorities relaxed their watch during
Charro Days, as Mexicans and Texans of all ages participated in the
celebrations.
Mariachis, professional and non-professional
musicians, sang in the narrow streets and corners of downtown
Brownsville. Parades, four hours long or longer, depicted floating
scenes from Mexican history and indigenous myths and paid tribute to
heroes. These moving pictures were linked by participants from schools
in Matamoros and school bands from all the Texas border towns strung
along the ninety miles of river and delta that made up the Rio Grande
Valley. Dancing in the streets and the carnival atmosphere contributed
to the magical childhood memories of my Brownsville.
Alma Iris Ramirez
Adelaide, South Australia
Published:
November 14,
2005
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