Jalos, USA: Transnational Community and Identity

Chapter One: Jalostotitlán and Turlock: Introduction

1 C h a P t e R o N e JalostotItláN aND tURloCk Introduction august fiestas, for an “ausente” [literally, “departed”] like myself, are a great way to remain connected with our roots and ancestors. It is the only way to understand where we come from and why our families migrated to the U.s. also, it is a time to revisit family from Mexico and those who live in the U.s. that we do not visit for geographical reasons or simply because time did not permit during the rest of the year. . . . It’s a family tradition that began when I was a child and that I hope to continue with my children. the speaker is elvia Ramírez, a young teacher in her mid-twenties in turlock, California, referring to yearly fiestas in Jalostotitlán (Jalos). her words are one expression of the pride and deep connection to Jalos that is a main focus of this book. Jalos, USA is about transnational identity and specifically about how los ausentes who either left Jalostotitlán and migrated to the United states or were born in 2 Jalos, usa the United states with parents from Jalos are able to retain an intense , almost primal identity with their community of origin. the unit of analysis, however, is not individual migrants but the community of Jalostotitlán as a center of transnational migration and identity. Virtually every family in Jalos has a relative or friend who migrated to the United states. whether first, second, or third generation , and regardless of their place of birth or how immersed they become in american culture, people retain strong ties and allegiances to their community of origin. another important, related area of focus is courtship customs and rituals and the extent to which youth continue to adhere to traditional practices relative to dating, courtship, and marriage. even today, people in Jalos continue such practices. one of the oldest of these is “dando la vuelta a la plaza,” where boys and girls circle around the town square in opposite directions and the boys crack confetti-filled eggshells on the heads of girls to whom they are attracted or give them flowers. another is “la serenata,” the practice of boys serenading girls. a third custom is that girls must be chaperoned and that when a boy comes to a girl’s house, the couple talks and visits outside the front door. the book examines the extent to which these and other traditional customs and practices are maintained in Jalos and the United states. a basic thesis advanced in this study is that people’s strong identification with Jalos is facilitated by the fact that the community is located in a staunchly Catholic region of Mexico, with a long history of religious persecution, and that religion plays a critical role in the daily lives of its members on both sides of the border. an important feature of religious practice in Jalos is the biannual fiestas, which bring ausentes back on yearly pilgrimages to their native land and also promote a strong secular identity with Jalos. Jalos today remains strongly Catholic and relatively conservative . Despite or perhaps because of the Jalos diaspora to all parts of the United states, residents retain their identification not only as Mexicans from the state of Jalisco but as persons with deep roots in Jalos. this identity is solidified through trips back to Jalos, where the birth of la Virgen de la asunción is celebrated in august and Carnaval is held in February or early March, on the eve of lent. although these are religious festivals, they present not only an oppor- Jalostotitlán and Turlock 3 tunity to reunite with family and friends but also an occasion to renew one’s allegiance and identity with Jalos. the fiestas are also linked to important dating and courtship rituals, since they provide young people with an opportunity to meet, interact, court, and eventually marry. Many young people meet and court during Carnaval and marry during the august fiesta. People also have their children baptized and celebrate other important religious rituals, such as First Communions, during the fiestas. It is not uncommon at the fiestas to see Jalos t-shirts and baseball caps or pick-up trucks and cars with bumper stickers that say “Jalos” or “Yo amo a Jalos” (I love Jalos). one even notices silver and black oakland Raiders...