Californio Voices: The Oral Memoirs of Jose Maria Amador and Lorenzo Asisara

GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY Words defined here are in boldface in the text. Abajeños Before the U.S. annexation of California, the people of the southern part of the territory identified themselves as Abajeños. Adarga A soldier’s shield made from cowhide Agua de lejía Lye Aguardiente Liquor distilled from herbs, flowers, or fruit Alcalde A town mayor. However, Thomas Savage uses the same term to refer to the indigenous authorities chosen by the priests as heads of the mission Indians. Alférez A second lieutenant or an ensign Alforja A saddlebag made from rawhide and used for carrying food or supplies Almud A measure of grain and dry fruit, in some places half a fanega. Almuerzo A main breakfast Antepasados A person’s ancestors Arribeños When California was still a part of the Mexican Republic, the people of the northern part of the territory called themselves Arribeños. Arroba A Spanish weight measure of 25 pounds. Asaderas Small, flat cheese made by beating the curd of the richest milk Atole Gruel made by boiling ground corn or wheat 238 8 Californio Voices Glos 1/26/05 2:58 PM Page 238 Atole de Pinole Gruel made by boiling ground corn Azumbre A container for liquids equivalent to about two liters Baño A type of cloth Bastonero Marshall or manager of a ball, steward of a feast Berruchi According to H. H. Bancroft, a berruchi was a peculiar form of men’s shoes that were used by Californios in old times. Possibly the term was also applied to the materials that the shoes were made from. Borrachitos Habitual drunkards Buñuelos A tortilla-like bread that is fried in cooking oil or lard Cabrones Men who consent to the adultery of their wives Cambios A dance movement Cantadores Singers Cardenillo Verdigris Catecúmeno A newly arrived individual who is being instructed in the doctrine and mysteries of the Catholic faith with the objective of receiving baptism Cedazos A dance movement Chamisal A thicket of chamiso, a densely growing shrub Chinela de coletilla A locally made shoe, probably a sandal Compadres Godfather and Godmother. The word by which the godfather and godmother address the father and mother of their godson or goddaughter and by which the father and mother address them Compañeros While the word means “companion” in English, Lorenzo Asisara used it to refer to a man’s testicles. Contador Accountant Contradanza Square dancing or country dancing Cortes Parliament Glossary 239 8 Californio Voices Glos 1/26/05 2:58 PM Page 239 Coyote A person who has three-fourths Indian blood and one-fourth European Criollo An individual who was supposedly of pure Spanish blood born in the New World Cuadrillas Dance performed by four couples Cuarta A measurement the width of an open hand Cuartas Flamengas Length sizes for Spanish swords Cuartos A type of measurement. One cuarto probably equaled the length of a man’s hand. Curandera A traditional female folk healer Décima A Spanish stanza consisting of ten verses of eight syllables Desayuno A light breakfast Ermita Probably a type of military drill Fandango A lively Spanish dance, festive entertainment Fanega A measurement equaling 551 ⁄2 liters or 11 ⁄2 bushels Gañan A day worker Gallina Ciega Blind man’s bluff or hood man’s blind Gente de Razón The word means “ people possessing reason.” While in New Spain the term generally described someone of pure Spanish blood, in California it was given to anyone who was not indigenous. Gerga or jerga A coarse cloth Gobernador Governor Jarabe On the American continent, a popular dance consisting of hand clapping and tapping Jarazo A cistus or rock rose labdanum tree Jayunte According to H. H. Bancroft, Jayunte is the vulgarization of Ayunte. Ayunte was the act of assembling 240 Memorias Sobre la Historia de California 8 Californio Voices Glos 1/26/05 2:58 PM Page 240 indigenous grown-up boys or men. It also referred to their quarters in the mission. Jerga or gerga A coarse cloth Jota A Spanish folk dance Ladroncitos Petty thieves Llavero Keeper of the keys Licenciado A title given to lawyers Manta Course white cotton cloth Maruca Hob, a game among boys, using bone or stone Mestizo An individual of mixed indigenous/Spanish background Metate A curbed stone, in the shape of an inclined plane, resting on three feet, used for grinding maize...