The Ute community of White Mesa, comprised of approximately 315 people, sits in the corner of southeastern Utah, eleven miles outside of Blanding. The residents, primarily of Weenuche Ute and Paiute ancestry, enjoy a cultural heritage that embraces elements from plains, mountain, and desert/Great Basin Indian culture. Among their religious…

The data drawn from interviews with 55 second-generation Iranian American adolescents revealed that pride in ancient Persian culture, the adolescents' physical characteristics, perceived stereotypes, and community point of reference all combined to affect ethnic identity as well as to reinforce a sense of ethnic loyalty. The contextual factors…

A name is one of the first things one learns about people. Many times the first word a young child learns is his or her name. Furthermore, names often serve as an indicator of a person's cultural identity. Unfortunately, for many English Language Learners (ELLs) and other students who immigrate to America, a name can be an embarrassment rather…

Guided by an ecological framework, this study explored ethnic socialization practices from the perspective of Southeast Asian American adolescents. Defined as a multidimensional construct that is conceptually distinct from racial socialization, ethnic socialization involves parents' communication to children about their ethnic heritage. The…

Unfairly viewed as poorly made and unwatchable, home movies actually constitute a wide variety of events and images that make them an invaluable and largely unexplored resource for scholars and researchers. The images captured in home movies--first birthdays, parades, vacations, family gatherings, etc.--were originally made by family members to…

The Charreada, the original rodeo developed by the landed gentry of Mexico as an aftermath of cattle ranch activities and round-ups, is described. (NQ)

The Christmas season in Mexico starts on December 16 with "las posadas," a series of religious processions in which families or neighbors reenact Joseph's search for shelter for Mary en route to Bethlehem. Those representing pilgrims travel from home to home until they are finally accepted by those representing innkeepers at a home with…

Throughout America all tribes have united to restore the "Indianism" that was lost at the time of the captivity. "Pow-wow" is the Indian effort to enforce this unity. Pow-wow can be held at any time of the year, although holidays are a good time to have dances. This essay provides much detail on the costumes and customs of the…

El Midwest Canto Al Pueblo was a successful effort to bring artists, poets, musicians, and cultural workers together in a setting conducive to a free and easy interchange of ideas and directions in order to reaffirm, share, and celebrate the identity of La Raza with el pueblo. The activities during the 10-day festival included poetry readings,…

This theme issue, centered around the Kalevala (a collection of primarily lyrical folk poems), includes articles giving the history of the Kalevala and its place in Finnish culture, comparing the Kalevala and the lyric poems of Homer, the Kalevala's influence on modern Finnish culture, the Kalevala in contemporary theatre, and celebrations…

Lately, there has been more effort by the Micmac Indians to recover the lost arts of chanting and singing, especially at the wake that is held when a person dies and at the feast of St. Anne, the grandmother saint of the Micmac Indians. (NQ)

Saint Patrick's Day can be a day to honor the Irish for the contributions they have made to American life. Important historical figures of Irish descent and Irish folk customs are discussed. (DF)

The village of Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills is synonymous with Christmas. Its annual Festival of Lights originated in the 1940s and now attracts over 250,000 visitors each year. In 1994, the Lobethal Lights Festival Committee took over the coordination of activities and gained serious corporate sponsorship. The formalisation of the Festival…