Oral history and collective memory can be used in a variety of ways when writing about the Costa Rica Banana industry. Oral history is process in which the historian collecting the data/narrative would seek out a subject, interview or listen to the subject tell his or her story, transcribe the account, and finally the historian would analyze and cross examine the account to determine its historical significance. Collective memory is looking back at how a society remembers certain events, not only as an internal memory but as a memorial, such as statues and anniversaries. When exploring the collective memory on the banana industry it is possible to review the plantations that Costa Rican’s use to provide tours to the people. It is possible to take tours on the aged plantations to see how banana’s were grown, harvested, and prepped from export. This shows in some ways Costa Ricans have a sense of pride in their industry, however when thinking of the history of the industry in all sense the pride is challenged by negative memories. Many Costa Ricans will discuss how the banana industry damaged their nation’s environment …show more content…
They may communicate with an employee or a former employee who working during the 1950’s when the banana bacteria destroyed the crops. The historian could ask questions on: How the bacteria developed over time? What were the hardships that the workers had to face during this time? What were the work conditions were like? Was there an option to unionize? These questions would allow the historian to have an idea of the working conditions, how the bacteria changed this condition, if at all, and much more. It would be important for the historian to listen to everything the subject says, it is also important to pay attention to the things people do not say as
John Soluri’s book, Banana Cultures, examines the production of bananas in the world market, “interactions among diverse and often divided people, not-so-diverse banana plants, and persistent yet unpredictable pathogen’s that formed and reformed tropical landscapes and livelihoods in export banana zones” (Soluri 5). Soluri talks about the historical entanglement of the Panama and Sigatoka pathogens and the export of bananas cultivation through agro-ecology. While the fungal pathogens infected Latin America, the Gros Michel banana invaded the United States. This stirred up debates over taxes, introducing new forms of dance and providing food for the population. The pathogens destroyed livelihood and earth soils affecting the exports of the bananas
Fluorescent turquoise waters, a vibrant city culture, as well as an unending supply of mimosas and sunburns within a resort, benefits the common wealthy couple looking for a swell time. When people imagine the Caribbean, they probably visualize the soft sands of the Spice Island Beach Resort. Many people see the Caribbean as relaxing paradise. What people don’t understand, are the years of history hidden behind the mask of many resorts. In the book entitled “Empire’s Crossroads: A History of the Caribbean from Columbus to the Present Day”, Author Carrie Gibson differentiates how people view the Caribbean nowadays, by altering their visualization with four-hundred pages of rich history and culture, that argues the ideology about the Caribbean
As you grab that head of lettuce from your local grocery store, you might have thought
Except using the analogy method to analyze the two cities in Caribbean, Mintz also include people’s real living story to enhance his research. For example, Worker in the Cane, a story of a Puerto Rican sugar can worker, Don Taso, his family and the village he lived. “Don Taso portrays his harsh childhood, his courtship and early marriage, his grim struggle to provide for his family” (Mintz 1974: 1). Although Worker in the Cane is not Mintz’s most famous book, it provided people a direct impression of ethnographic contact, and the detailed description and vivid storytelling of a human’s life explain the reason this book continuing appeal young anthologists.
Tradition has been said to mirror a way of life. Observation has concluded that participants in tradition “actively construct as well as reflect culture and community” (Sacks 275). For most people in the 21st century, tradition only reveals itself during special times or certain seasons. For others it is simply a way of life. The foodways of Mexicans and Native Americans are of particular interest in this study because of the food that grew from necessity and is maintained as sacred or reserved for only special occasions. The tamale is one such food. Significantly changed and altered throughout history it has remained a food of commonality and prestige at the same time. The tamale represents a nation that thrived as a people and has continued to live on through the traditions created hundreds of years ago by women who strive to better their community, their men, and the general way of life and welfare of their people. Native American people are the backdrop of southwestern history and as such we often look to them for answers regarding the past. The ‘past’ provides acts as vault filled with a wealth of information concerning a great number of cultural artifacts.
The Old Gringo, by Carlos Fuentes, is an intriguing, multicultural novel that exhibits the differences between the Mexican and the North American inner nature. The novel takes place in Mexico, during the Mexican Civil war which lasted from 1909 to 1913. The Mexican civil war, or the Mexican Revolution, began when Francisco Madero challenged the Mexican dictator, Porfirio Diaz. Porfirio Diaz ruled Mexico for 35 years until he was put out of power by Francisco Madero when Diaz was caught blatantly rigging the election. (Put citation here)
Costa Rica lies in the tropics and originated as a land of peaceful people and lush ecosystems. The Costa Rica of today is much different than a simple ideal tourist location. It is a country that ranks among the world’s highest in biodiversity. In addition, there is no separation between church and state. It is a country with a woman president and no army. The economy of Costa Rica is challenged on a daily basis and the education of its residents is recognizable. The purpose of this paper is to introduce readers to the many unique facets of the small Spanish speaking country of Costa Rica. My intent is to present information about the country’s geographical facts, biodiversity and ecotourism, religion, education, government and economical status.
The most important idea in Allen J. Christenson's Popol Vuh is maize or often known as corn but to the Maya culture, corn has a bigger significance than just food. Corn has played a important role in empires, civilizations and people for thousands of years. The Maya have a lot of admiration to corn as a cornerstone of their culture and spirituality. Maize was so highly admired that the Mayans had a Maize God. Corn was a gift from the Gods and cultivating it and planting it was a sacred duty it was a really important process in which corn was to be planted and harvested. Temples were built for Maize Gods and corn was used to nourish workers and kings. To the Mayans, the Gods made humankind out of maize. The Maya also considered this crop to be the vegetation of life in order to eat and grow. This symbolized the fragile nature of corn, a crop that depends entirely on human cultivation for its reproduction with such deep meaning and that has deep culture and meaning.
Folklore is a collection of stories passed down from generation to generation that includes Legends, Myths and Fairy tales. Legends are a semi-true story, which has been passed on from a person to another person that has an important meaning. Myths are a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon. A Fairytale is a children's story about magical which they have imaginary beings and lands. Hispanic Folklore is the traditional is mostly about beliefs, legends, customs and stories of the community of the hispanic culture. Hispanic or latino culture encompasses the traditions, language, religious beliefs and practices, legends, music and history.
societies to reexamine their view of the Caribbean. In this paper the following topics in The
This analysis will focus on Lord Sexsmith, a character who struggles with his own belief. In order to understand this character and the various events that occur throughout this novel, support will be provided from various scriptures found in the bible, scholarly articles, and my own experience growing up in a religious family. The approach I am applying is reader response, which will help provide the readers with a detailed image of how this character can be analyzed through a biblical perspective. This essay aims to provide an in-depth analysis of Lord Sexsmith and to provide detailed explanations and several examples to support the struggles this character faces with his faith.
When someone thinks of a hurricane, it is not often that fruit is the first thing that comes to their mind. In “Problems with Hurricanes,” Victor Hernandez Cruz brings mangoes and bananas to center stage in the midst of a hurricane. The poem, as told through the eyes of a “campesino” (a native of a Latin-American rural area), gives the fruit a dangerous, deadly part in contributing to casualties during a hurricane (Webster’s 178). The campesino believes that death by produce is a dishonorable way to die and points out that people need to be aware of the things that may be happening around them because there is a possibility that they don’t appear as all that they are. Throughout “Problems with Hurricanes,” Cruz reveals that the most beautiful sweet things can be the most dangerous.
The Family Tree My family story took place in the middle of the seventeenth century, when Mexico was still part of Texas, in a town now known as Kerrville. This land has been in my family for centuries and still remains in our hands. There under the hills of my ancestors, around a camp fire surrounded by my tios, tias, and primos, my grandfather Guadalupe Morales would lead us into a world that we could see with our heart and feel like we did the heat of that fire. This was the same story passed down from generation to generation through depressions and wars about slavery and strength, faith, and perseverance. It was a story of victory and family.
It has been argued that the sugar revolution has affected the Caribbean drastically as a result of the sugar revolution; economically there was a labour problem which was caused by the change from Tobacco to Sugar. “The manufacturing of Sugar cultivation was much needed for some workers to practice manual labour.” (Galen son, 1989: 112). There were people who tried to get workers like the Spaniards who tried to get the Arawak to w...
When one thinks of Barbados, one thinks of luscious, turquoise blue waters; soft white sand beaches; blue, white clouded skies; fresh fruits; exotic, delicious dishes and honeymoons. One, however, tends to forget the formation of this land. This Caribbean luxury Island has much history and great heritage. In this report, I will detail Barbados’s location, history, labor relations, population size and structure, industries, plus add a little zest with the beauty of the Island.