U.S. Latino and Latina
Tree
Jan Rog / English 152
African Influences on U.S. Latino and Latina
Literature

per·spec·tive
noun
–A view or vista.
–A mental view or outlook: “It is useful
occasionally to look at the past to gain a
perspective on the present” (Fabian
Linden).

The appearance of objects in depth as
perceived by normal binocular vision.
–The relationship of aspects of a subject
to each other and to a whole: a
perspective of history; a need to view the
problem in the proper perspective.
–Subjective evaluation of relative
significance; a point of view: the
perspective of the displaced
homemaker.
–The ability to perceive things in their
actual interrelations or comparative
importance: tried to keep my perspective
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Discuss in groups.
What does it mean to be Latino or Latina?
What cultures are the roots of Latinos and
Latinas today?
Why is it important to search for one’s roots?

Indigenous peoples of the Americas

Spanish and Portuguese explorers, priests,
soldiers, and colonists.

Africans
•
Slaves from the TransAtlantic Trade

Lessons about life, family, and identity,
passed down from generation to
generation

Lessons about creation and the workings
of the cosmos passed down through the
generations

Often becoming a reality to many

Oral traditions
–

–
“speakers” or
–
priests
–
historical lessons –
–
prognoses
–
oracles
–
–
–
–riddles
Legends
human narratives
ties to nature
enduring truths
faith and actions
qualities of the
people
all possibilities are
possible
Influences in Mestiza Culture

Indigenous, Spanish, and African oral
traditions occurred in the Mestiza culture
–Legends, psalms, biblical accounts,
troubadour ballads from Spain
–Poems, myths, historical narrative, and
cosmic revelations from indigenous
peoples

Magic
in
Shape
Shifting
Tales

Time Travel

Mind over Matter / Mind with Matter

Communing with the Dead

Creating a New Reality

Distinguishing Enemies

Seeking Help
Select one story and read!

Quetzalcoatl

Aztlan

Our Lady of Guadalupe

La Llorona

Chac Mool

The Jaguar
•
Select an African tale and read!
•
Quarcoo Bah-Bohni (The Bad Boy)
•
Anansi and the Blind Fisherman
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N’Gor Niebe
•
Which did you choose? Read it and
Song and Dance

Song and Dance / Indigenous, Spanish, and
African Influences
–Symbolic Representation
–Relating History, Social Lessons, Events

Often in the oral tradition
–Ballads (Las Baladas)
–Couplets (Las Coplas)
Music

Addresses issues without requiring literacy

Informs, educates, and inspires action

Current as well as historical

Non-threatening, but is it?

Presents the uncommon perspective
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Can we re-examine our histories to find there
are more influences than we first thought?
Can we take a traditional interpretation and
begin to consider it in a new light?
Can we be comfortable with a new
understanding of the past?
Malinche

Traditionally, Malinche has
been seen as a traitor who
consorted with Hernan Cortez.

Research has uncovered. . . .
– Enabled Cortez to negotiate
rather than slaughter
– Communicated and facilitated
peaceful/ less violent transition
– Spoke out against cannibalism
and human sacrifice
– Was the daughter of a noble
Aztec family; passed over for a
La Llorona: Reflection with Water
• Recast the story:
• murderess - ->
• sorrowful - ->
• vain - ->
• vengeful - ->
• weak - ->
• victim - ->
• misunderstood - ->
• abandoned - ->
•
What does it mean to
recast our stories?
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Consider how Sandra Cisneros recast La
Llorona and created the strong women of
Woman Hollering Creek.
What does it mean if we recast our own
stories? Can we allow new roots to be
added to our current roots?
What do you think?