Rural Latin American Culture

Author(s): William Davidson

Source: Social Forces, Vol. 25, No. 3 (Mar., 1947), pp. 249-252
Published by: Oxford University Press
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3005661 .
Accessed: 28/10/2014 19:37
Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .
http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of
content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms
of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

Oxford University Press is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Social Forces.

http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 202.43.95.117 on Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:37:26 PM

All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

RURAL LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE

249

RURAL LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE

WILLIAM DAVIDSON
flukp TJnivprsrft'v

IN

THE precedingpaperDr. Gillinhas set forth

certainhypothesesregardinga generalconof culturewhichwe may call Latin
figuration
American. In this paper the presentwriterproposes to documentcertaintraitswhichseem to be
ofthisculture. The documentation
characteristic
is necessarily
preliminary.For one thing,modern
have notbeensubject
Latin Americancommunities
studyon a largescale and the
to anthropological
numberof sources is thereforelimited. In the
secondplace, the presentarticleis intendedmore
of a typeofworkwhichmaybe
as a demonstration
forthepurposeofanalyzing
carriedon intensively
ofwhatis postulated
thecontentand organization
Latin
as a new and emergentculturethroughout
America.
Even so, as one readsthe booksoftravelersand
monographswhichare available, he
the scientific
becomes aware of a series of recurringcultural
patternswhich appear over and over again in
Latin Americanculturalsituations. This becomes
even moreobviousas one travelsinLatin America
personally. To renderthese impressionsexplicit
is the primary
and amenableto check, therefore,
purpose of this paper. I propose to document
these traits froma small numberof published
sourcessome of whichare stillin pressand have
been made available to me in manuscript. As a
furthercheck, which could doubtlesslybe duplicated by many other travelers,I note observationsmadepersonallyin a seriesoftownsvisited
by me in Mexico and Guatemala.
In Guatemalaand mostof Middle Americathe
culture,to whichGillingivesthe generalname of
Latin American,is called the Ladino culture;
in Peru, forexample,it is called Creole.
I have chosento presenta listingofculturalelements belongingto the rural phase of culture.
of makingsuch a listcan be easily
The difficulties
recognizedby the ethnologist. Particularlyis
this the case where the Ladino culture exists
alongsideof an almostpurely aboriginalculture
and in other instancesin an urban civilization.
Withthesedifficulties
clearlyin mindsomesimple
what will be
criteriamay be used in determining
the limitsof thislisting. The criteriaare:
1. This studywillbe limitedto the ruralphase
of culture.

2. The elementsthemselvesmust fill the requirementthat they be essentialto a complete

descriptionof the ruralphase of Latin American
cultureand that theirmerepresenceis important
thisculturefromothers.
in distinguishing
Finally, it must be stressed that this paper
representsa tentativestudy that cannot in any
way be consideredcomplete. It is being presented at this time for the primarypurpose of
setting the problem before the students of
ethnologyand to stimulatefuturestudyalongthis
line. The scientific
and appreciation
identification
of the culturethat exists in vast areas of our
hemisphere
isofthegreatest
importance
bothto the
studentofhumancultureand to thegeneralpublic
as well.
I. MATERIAL ASPECTS

A. The Plaza System. The Latin American

communityis almostinvariablysituatedabout a
centralplaza. Facing this plaza are the church,
the governmentbuildings,and the homesof the
more prominentmembers of the community.
to the plaza is regardedas being
Close proximity
very desirableand a person's social status can
almost be determinedby the distance of his
home fromthis plaza. Not only is the plaza
usuallythe physicalor geographicalcenterof the
town,but also is it the social center. About the
plaza centersall the social or communalundertakings of the community. It is the scene of
Sunday night gatheringsof the young people;
of the numerousfiestas and religiousfestivals
thattake place; and finallyduringcrisisand times
of emergencythe people gatherthere.(Biesanz,
1944,pp. 29-30; Gillin,1943,p. 349; Gillin,1945,
p. 3 (see plan of San Luis Jilotepeque);Gillin,
1947 (Moche); Parsons,1945,p. 9; Redfield,1930,
p. 19; Redfield,1941,pp. 26, 40-41, 48; author's
observations:Mexico-Villa Union,Sinaloa; Guatemala-San Luis Jilotepeque,Jalapa).
B. Architecture.The home is usually located
flushon the street. The floorsare of cementor
tile and the roofs of tile also. The walls are
mostlyplasteredupon a base of stone or adobe
bricks. Flat roofs occur almost without exception. In the betterhomes high ceilings,interiorpatios, and wide divided doors, and iron

This content downloaded from 202.43.95.117 on Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:37:26 PM

All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

250

SOCIAL FORCES

II. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

grillsarefound. (Biesanz,1944,p. 26; Gillin,1943,
p. 351; Gillin,1945,p. 4; Gillin,1946,ms.,pp. 6-7;
A. CompadreSystem. The existenceof cereParsons, 1945,p. 178; Redfield,1930,pp. 32-33; monial kinshipis commonto most all groups.
author's observations:Mexico-Alamos, Sonora; In someareas it is morehighlydevelopedthan in
Guatemala-San Pedro Pinula,Jalapa).
others. Oftenit involvesa verycomplicatedweb
C. Small Land Untit. The basic land unit in of artificialrelationshipsthat extendsto almost
is a small plot usuallyhaving every familyof the community. A system of
ruralcommunities
irregularboundaries. These are generallyindi- sponsorshipof a personor object by one or more
vidually owned and also are worked by their personsformsthebasisofthecompadreceremony.
owners. However,it is commonpracticeto use This sponsorshipis the mechanismby whichthe
Indian labor in theircultivationwhereavailable. relationshipis set up. The compadre system
Communalownershipis rareamongpractitioners providesa greatdeal of securityforits members.
of thisculture. In Mexico and CentralAmerica (Gillin,1945,p. 5; Gillin,1947,(Moche); Parsons,
this land unit is called the milpa. (Gillin, 1946, 1936, pp. 68-70; Parsons, 1945, pp. 178, 44-45;
ms., pp. 3-6; Parsons,1945,pp. 18, 20; Redfield, Redfield,1930, p. 141; Redfield,1941, pp. 92,
1930,pp. 19,23; Redfield,1941,pp. 7, 120;author's 222-226; author'sobservations:Guatemala-San
observations:Guatemala-San Luis Jilotepeque, Luis Jilotepeque,Jalapa).
Jalapa).
B. Stable Family Group. The Ladino regards
D. Maiz. Corn is the staffof life for the hisfamilyas primary
to all otheractivityand social
Ladino. Much of his life is centeredabout or action. Family unity is strongand the family
storage,and preparation conceptextendsfar beyondthe immediateunity
relatedto theproduction,
of corn. Productionand preparationtechniques ofmanand wifeand offspring.WhentheLadino
vary slightlyfromregionto region. There is a thinksof his familyhe includesdistantrelatives
wide varietyof preparationwhich includes the that many North Americansdo not even know.
and
basic use of gruels,flatbaked cakes(tortillas),
A big familywithmanychildrenis considereda
eatingthe corn on the cob. (Biesanz, 1944,pp. prestige symbol in Ladino culture. (Biesanz,
31-32; Gillin, 1943; Gillin, 1946, ms; Parsons, 1944,p. 73; Gillin,1947,(Moche); Parsons,1945,
1936,pp. 51-53; Parsons, 1945, pp. 21-23; Red- p. 38; Redfield,1941, pp. 190-192; author'sobfield,1930,pp. 15-16, 39; Redfield,1941, pp. 6, servations:Mexico-Alamos, Sonora; Guatemala
88-89; author's observations: Guatemala-San -San Luis Jilotepeque,Jalapa).
Luis Jilotepeque,Jalapa).
C. Social Distinctions.Prestigefactorshold a
and
E. Animals. Most of the transportation
major place in life. Amosteveryoneis conscious
motivepoweris by meansof thehorse,mule,and of his status and does everythingpossible to
burro. The ox is used in plowingand also to keep othersfromunderestimating
it. Clothingis
pull heavycarts. (Gillin,1945,p. 5; Gillin,1946, a commonlyused methodof markingand mainms.; Parsons,1936,p. 49; Parsons,1945,pp. 177- taining social status. 1\Iarriage
is usualy kept
178; Redfield,1930,p. 46; Redfield,1941,p. 45; withinthe boundsofthe individual'ssocialgroup.
author'sobservations:Guatemala-San Luis Jilo- (Biesanz, 1944, pp. 19-24; Gillin, 1945, p. 10;
tepeque,Jalapa).
author's observations:Mexico-Culiacan, SinaF. HouseholdUtensils. The typicalhousehold
loa; Guatemala-San Luis Jilotepeque,Jalapa).
containsa strangemixtureof utensils. Thereis a
D. Double Standard. The possession of nugrindingstone (metate) and a large numberof merousprerogatives
by the maleLadino is a comcarved
potterycookingand storagevessels. I-Hand
monfeatureof thisculture. Pre-maritalchastity
utensilsare common. However,thereis hardly is consideredessentialforthe woman;howeverit
a household that does not have one or more is
hardlyseriouslyconsideredforthe man. The
machinemanufacturedarticles in constant use.
workthat is properforwomenis clearlydefined
Some of the more commonare: factoryglazed
of this workstatus is severly
and any infraction
chinaware;steel eating utensils;metal pots and
woman's
The
criticized.
place is in the mainpans; and steelknivesand needles. (Gillin,1945;
and well-fedhome.
of
a
tenance
happy,
large,
39;
p.
1930,
Redfield,
178;
Parsons, 1945, p.
author's observations:Mexico-Alamos, Sonora; (Biesanz, 1944,pp. 64, 82, 72, 94; Parsons,1936,
p. 115; author's observations:Mexico-Alamos,
Guatemala-San Luis Jilotepeque,Jalapa).

This content downloaded from 202.43.95.117 on Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:37:26 PM

All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

RURAL LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE

251

Jilotepeque, Redfield,1930; p. 142; Redfield,1941, p. 154;

author'sobservations:Guatemala-San Luis Jilotepeque,Jalapa).
III. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION
E. Charmsand ReligiousMedals. There is a
A. CultoftheSaints. Each communityhas its wide usage of various types of religiousmedals
various saints. to be wornor carriedon the person. Oftenthese
own groupof imagesrepresenting
Each saint has special powersthat cover some have been blessed by the priestat a particular
particularfieldof needs. The individualgoes for shrinenoted forsome special type of healingor
aid to a particularsaintand throughhimcontacts protection. Often little silver replicas of an
part are leftin the churchto help gain
the SupremePower. The saintsare kept in the afflicted
churchbut on occasion they are taken out for assistancefromsome particularsaint. (Biesanz,
special pilgrimages. The VirginMary occupies 1944, p. 206; Parsons, 1936, p. 118; author's
a most importantpart in religiouslife and each observations:Mexico-Culiacan, Sinaloa; Guatecountry or region has its particularPatrona. mala-San Luis Jilotepeque,Jalapa).
F. CofradiaSystem. This consistsofa seriesof
(Biesanz, 1944,p. 205; Gillin,1946,ms.; Parsons,
groupsof laymenwho are charged
1936,pp. 27-28, 204-207; Parsons,1945,pp. 81- semi-religious
84, 180; Redfield,1930, p. 194; Redfield,1941, with the maintenanceof the image cult, fordirectinga fiesta,forconductinga pilgrimage,
or for
pp. 140,267; author'sobservations:Guatemalaany other specific ceremonialfunctions. The
Jalapa).
San Luis Jilotepeque,
B. ReligiousFestivals. The religiouscalendar intensityof interestin the cofradiasvaries from
containsan almost endlessarrayoffestivalsded- region to region, but these organizationsare
significant
parts of the culture. The
icated to the various saints of the community. everywhere
The festivalfor the patron saint of the town is cofradias are of two main types: permanent,
themostimportantand thecelebrationoftenlasts chargedwith a particularimage cult; and tema week. Often individuals celebrate the day porary,organizedformanagementof a particular
dedicatedto the saint on whose day they were ceremony. (Gillin, 1946, ms.; parsons, 1936,
born. (Biesanz, 1944,pp. 183-185; Gillin,1946, pp. 192-200; Parsons, 1945, p. 178; Redfield,
ms.; Parsons, 1936, chap. VI; Parsons, 1945, 1930,p. 65; Redfield,1941,pp. 276-277; author's
chap. VI; Redfield, 1930, chap. VI; Redfield, observations:Guatemala-San Luis Jilotepeque,
1941, pp. 100, 270-273; author's observations: Jalapa).
Guatemala-San Pedro Pinula, Jalapa).
IV. WIDESPREAD BELIEFS
in ReligiousActivities.
C. WomenPredominate
A.
Medical
Beliefs. The ruralLatin American
Amongmena generallyskepticalattitudetowards
him
a wide varietyof medicalfancy
carries
with
the
most
they
For
part
is
religion maintained.
boththe cureand the cause of disease.
participatein religiousactivitiesonly duringlife concerning
crisesand on specialfeastdays. Practicallyall of Numeroustypesof magicalcuringare practiced.
the lay assistanceused in the maintenanceof the The herbalistand midwifeare resortedto for
church buildingsand altars come fromwomen. medical diagnosisand therapy. The particular
in the churchritesand special causes fordisease vary fromregionto regionbut
Theirparticipation
observances is quite regular. (Biesanz, 1944, theygenerallyfallintosimilarpatternsofsuperstipp. 208-209; Gillin,1945,p. 5; Gillin,1946,ms., tion. (Gillin, 1946, ms., Gillin, 1947 (Moche);
Redfield, 1941, p. 257; author's observations: Parsons, 1936, pp. 118-131; Parsons, 1945, pp.
62-63; Redfield, 1930, pp. 152, 158; Redfield,
Guatemala-San Luis Jilotepeque,Jalapa).
D. Mourningfor theDead. As an important 1941,pp. 308-309; author'sobservations:GuateJalapa).
part of theirreligiouslifethis culturehas a well mala-San Luis Jilotepeque,
B. Belief in Bewitchment.Fear of numerous
developedpatternformourningthe dead. Not
is quite commonto the
only mustone wear black but also one must ob- types of bewitchments
namesin particto social activityduring Ladino. They go underdifferent
servevariousprohibitions
the mourning
period. The lengthof the mourn- ular localities but they all belong to the same
ing period is determinedby the individual'sre- pattern. One of the mostcommonis the fearof
lation to the deceased. Wakes are common. "bad air" that goes througha personand leaves
(Biesanz, 1944,pp. 104-107;Parsons,1936,p. 141; himweakenedand oftenneardeath. The typeof
Sonora; Guatemala-San
Jalapa).

Luis

This content downloaded from 202.43.95.117 on Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:37:26 PM

All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

252

SOCIAL FORCES

knownas espanto,or fear,is wideenchantment

spreadand is said to leave the victimsenselessor
completelyhelpless. (Gillin, 1946, ms.; Gillin,
1947(Moche),chap. XIII; Parsons,1936,pp. 118140; Parsons, 1945, pp. 64, 178; Redfield,1930,
pp. 162-163;Redfield,1941,p. 305; author'sobJaservations:Guatemala-San Luis Jilotepeque,
lapa).
C. Beliefin Demonsand Spirits. The beliefin
the existenceof a large variety of dangerous
demonsand spiritsis notperhapsas commonas it
was some timeago. However,it still existsas a
part at least of the sub-liminallifeof the rural
Ladino. (Parsons, 1936, pp. 207-210; Parsons,
1945, p. 178; Redfield,1941, p. 93; author's obJaservations:Guatemala-San Luis Jilotepeque,
lapa).
It is hoped that the above listinghas at least
created questions in the mind of the reader.
Moreover,we hope thatthesequestionswillstimulate workby studentsof Latin Americanculture
and approach
directedat a unifiedunderstanding
to theproblem.
Several suggestionsfor field work that must
yet be done in clarifyingthis problemmay be
made here:
of how
1. We mustcome to an understanding
the indigenousculture has affectedthe Latin
Americanculture. How many of these new elementshave come fromthe pre-conquestcultures
and what has been the extentof theirinfluence
culture? This willbe a
uponthisnewsynthesized
task forthe specialistin Latin Americannative
cultureand pre-conquestethnology.
century
2. A thoroughanalysisof the fifteenth
Spanish culture must be made. The romance
historianneedsto tellus just whatelementswere
centurySpainand also in the
prevalentinfifteenth
ColonialPeriod. Onlybyhavingthisothersideof
theoriginalelementsoftheLatin Americanculture
subjectedto intensivestudycan we hope to obtain
a balancedpicture.
3. An ever widerapplicationof moderntechstudiesmustbe employed.
niquesforacculturation
has concentratedhis
For too longthe ethnologist
effortson the aboriginalculturesof this area.
richrewardsto
Now we have a problemthatoffers
the studentof culturaldynamicsand process.
4. In this paper we have barelytouchedupon
the vital field of psychologicaland ideational
patternsof Latin Americanculture. Here is a
task and yet it is one of
most subtleand difficult

thegreatestinterestand importance. We mustgo

intothe Latin Americanfieldwiththe latest and
the best in psychological
methodology
and theory
and attemptto cometo a realunderstanding
ofthe
psychologyof our neighbors.
For too longthe questionoftheLatin American
culturehas been neglected. We have suggested
thatthistypicalLatin Americanculturecannotbe
identifiedwith any other contemporary
culture
and that therefore
it is a culturalentityand must
be isolated,identified,
and characterized. Anyone
undertakingthis problemis sure to finda field
filledwith materialof the greatestinterestand
stimulation. Finally, we are sure that as this
study is pushed furthermany elementsof acculturationprocess, culture development,and
thepsychology
ofculturewillcomeintonewunderstanding.
Tripsmadebytheauthorto Mexicoand Central
America:June 20-September 10, 1941, Central
Mexico and NorthEast Mexico; August 20-September15, 1942,NorthwestMexico; August 25September20, 1943,PacificCoast of Mexico; August25-October30,1944,PacificCoast and Central
Mexico. June20-August1, 1946,San Luis Jilotepeque, as field assistant to Dr. John Gillin.
August 1-August 26, 1946, Tour of Guatemala;
tripsto Hondurasand El Salvador.
REFERENCES

CITED

Biesanz, John and Mavis 1944 Costa Rican Life

(New York: Columbia UniversityPress).
Gillin,John 1943 "Houses, Food, and the Contact
of Cultures in a Guatemalan Town." Acda
Americana,1: 344-359.
Gillin, John 1945 "Parallel Cultures and the
Inhibitions to Acculturationin a Guatemalan
Community." Social Forces,24: 1-14.
Gillin, John 1946 ms. Acculturation in Eastern
Guatemala (manuscript of a monograph in
preparation).
Gillin, John 1947 (Moche). Mocke: A Peruvian
(Institute of Social AnthroCoastal Commzunity
pology, Smithsonian Institution, Publ. 3. In
press).
Parsons, Elsie Clews 1936 Mitla: Town oftheSouls
(Chicago: Universityof Chicago Press).

Parsons,Elsie Clews 1945 Peguche:A Study of

AndeanIndians (Chicago: Universityof Chicago
Press).
Redfield,Robert 1930 Tepotzlan,a Mexican Village
(Chicago: Universityof Chicago Press).
Redfield,Robert 1941 The Folk Cultureof Yucatan
(Chicago: Universityof Chicago Press).

This content downloaded from 202.43.95.117 on Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:37:26 PM

All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions