Educator, historian and musician Arsenio Cordova used his guitar to sing and talk about Hispanic traditions and culture at a Hispanic Heritage Month talk Wednesday at the Laboratory. The Hispanic Diversity Working Group and the Diversity (DVO) Office sponsored a series of events this month to celebrate the national observance. Photo by Ed Vigil, Public Affairs
"Without language there is no culture. Without culture the body doesn't have a soul," said Arsenio Cordova, educator, lecturer, historian and musician. Cordova spoke this week about "Culture, Traditions and our Responsibilities to Preserve Them," as part of this year's national Hispanic Heritage Month closing event at the Laboratory.
Cordova performed narrative ballads, lyric folk songs, poetry readings and also described historical Hispanic traditions.
Cordova said that Hispanics have to celebrate who they are and be proud of their identity. "People without knowledge of their history [are] like a tree without roots," Cordova said. "We are fortunate to live in Northern New Mexico's community [which is] enriched by tradition and language."
Cordova asked those in the Physics Building Auditorium audience when was the last time they had sat down with their children and told them who they are. Cordova explained the importance of talking to grandparents and parents about their cultural traditions to enrich their children's lives instead of allowing television to become a babysitter.
Cordova said he refers to himself as an activist, and that when people start talking they aren't that far apart. He also said, "My generation's mistake is that we don't want to teach our children Spanish, because we want them to speak eloquent English."
"Speak out for our culture and traditions. We are doing injustices to our children and antepasados," he said, referring to ancestors whose spirits are always present. Cordova added the problem occurs because Hispanics have been swallowed up by a different culture and have forgotten tradition. He also said those who are bilingual are worth two people.
Cordova stated that his contributions are to preserve cultural plays in their original format by dedication to researching their native origins. He referred to "Las Posadas," the traditional story told around Christmastime of the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, which was introduced by Mexican missionaries in 1530. "In 23 years more than 500 people have participated in the play, which I direct," Cordova said.
"Most often the children don't know how to sing the songs in Spanish, but they are like a sponge, because they absorb everything and they learn what they are singing about," Cordova added.
Other such traditions that help to preserve the Hispanic culture are "Los Dias," which gives salutation to the New Year with early morning serenades and "La Llorona," the weeping woman who cries at night after throwing her children into the river out of madness, he said.
"We have responsibilities to preserve our Northern New Mexico traditions through music, drama and food. If you haven't experienced traditions, start today and if you don't have traditions in your family, start some," said Cordova.
"Nunca, nunca, pararse el aprender. Never, never stop learning," because when you die you'll touch the lives of your children, grandchildren and antepasados, Cordova said.
Cordova's talk was sponsored by the Laboratory's Hispanic Diversity Working Group and the Diversity (DVO) Office.