4c

Culture is a learned way of life shared by a group of people, includes languages, food, celebrations, artistic expression, the arts, sports, government, and the media. We all have a certain culture we come from whether we think about it or not. I believe culture is extremely important in helping to mold a person, and also aids in bringing out the uniqueness of a person. Culture fits in well with this class, because just like stated before with each individual person, a country or continent or even region, has it’s own culture also.

I looked at Kelsey’s assignment 4a first. She like I chose to do her work on the California mission. I think we both chose the California missions because of the unique connections to Latin America, and all of the great things these mission have done for our region. She like I chose to focus on the San Francisco mission, mainly with it being so close to home, as well as one of the last missions. San Francisco is also the last mission to be created after the Mexican independence, and without a church’s approval.

For assignment 3a I focused on Jasmine’s work. Jasmine chose to do her research on the Yanomamo Tribe because in the past she has watched a documentary on the tribe in a Cultural Anthropology class. She found their ways of life very interesting, especially since they are a fairly new discovered tribe. Jasmine wanted to expand her knowledge further and be able to share it with her classmates. A remarkable fact about the Yanomamo tribe is that they have managed to retain their native pattern of warfare and political integrity without interference from the outside world. They live in a remote and isolated corner of the Amazon between Brazil and Venezuela and are the last indigenous group to have contact with the modern world. A large and important part of a male Yanomami's life is a ritual of smoking a hallucinogenic drug called yopo. Grinding several natural roots and vines that are gathered in the rain forest makes Yopo. Smoking the drug is very painful, causing blinding pains in the head and nausea. In order to not feel all of this pain, voluntarily, another person forcibly blows the yopo into the nasal cavities by using a long pipe like object. The yopo is taken in order to achieve a trance state. Once in the trance, the men are able to communicate with the spirit world and relate what they are seeing through chanting and dancing.

We could possibly relate Freire to this topic, because all of the research we have done, is in this great man’s element. He has visited these regions and become one with these people. All of the words we were asked to define are words that make up a person as well as the region of Latin America.

4B

El Cantico Del Alba : http://www.ask.com/bar?q=california+missions&page=1&qsrc=178&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.californiamissions.com%2F

I chose this piece of music, which could also be considered a poem, because it was one of the unique works of art that was produce in the missions over two- hundred years ago. I thought the music was very unique to the folk music we have today. The music was soft and peaceful; it in many ways took me back to the times of the early missions.

The piece of music seems to have some folk element to it. The music is soft, but quick and up lifting. There are no strong drum sounds or anything over bearing. It seems as if some two hundred years ago, all of the tempos were up beat and jubilant. The song seems to be a hymn, maybe something played at a festival, parade or even in church.

When I heard this song, I immediately pictured small children dancing around while a group of a few people played this song for them.

I chose a piece of music, because I love music, and I feel it speaks to people often easier than a poem or a story; I enjoy all types of music. This piece made me smile, it made me picture our early Californians dancing around, enjoying life.

I would love to see some clips of people some two-hundred years ago enjoying themselves while listening to this folk music. It is always a pleasure to see people having a good time. I am also curious to know, whom the creators of music were back then? Did everyone create music, was it just men? Finally I would be curious to learn more about what the people of the mission did to enjoy themselves, even though it seems music was one of the many things.

4A

The Colonial Era in Latin America should be considered the region’s formative years: the norms, laws, conflicts and movements of the time were profoundly influential in determining the character of the area today. The Spanish are only the most famous of the European powers that fought over territories and colonies, but the Portuguese, British, Dutch, French and others were also involved.

Twenty-first MissionFounded: July 4, 1823 by Father Jose AltimiraNamed for: St. Francis Solano, missionary to the Peruvian IndiansLocation: in the town of Sonoma, 20 miles north of San Francisco on State Highway 12

The last and northernmost California mission, Mission San Francisco Solano was the only mission founded after Mexico's independence from Spain. It was also the only mission founded without the prior approval of the Church.The brash Father Jose Altimira, sent from Spain in 1819 to assist at Mission Dolores, devised a plan to found a new mission to the north where the climate was warmer. Instead of going to his proper church superiors he made his proposal to Governor Don Luis Arguello, who was responsible for keeping the Russians out of Northern California. Fr. Altimira's plan to move both the Dolores and the San Rafael missions to Solano seemed to be the solution to the Governor's concern about the Russian encroachment in his province.Eventually the Church gave their approval for the new Mission San Francisco Solano, to be run by Father Altimira, but insisted that Missions Dolores and San Rafael be undisturbed.

The new mission seemed to get off to a good start. The vineyards were flourishing. But soon the cruelty of Father Altimira became evident. His constant flogging and imprisonment of the Native Americans, in his efforts to "civilize" them soon caused a revolt. A large group of angry Native Americans attacked the mission in 1826. After looting and burning buildings and supplies, they forced Father Altimira to flee to Mission San Rafael. Soon after that, unwelcome at any of the missions, he returned to Spain.
His replacement was the faithful and kind Father Fortuni. After spending several years rebuilding the mission he restored it to its former strength. His new adobe buildings had tile roofs, and a convento with 27 rooms made up a large part of the quadrangle.Barely finished, the mission was secularized in 1834 and came under the control of General Mariano Vallejo. He was supposed to see that the mission properties were distributed to the Native Americans. Instead he claimed the mission property to be his own and added it to his already vast property holdings in the area. With the promise of protection, room and board, he put the Native Americans to work for him.

Vallejo built up a large pueblo (town) in Sonoma, and for a while maintained the mission church. Eventually, the settlers removed the roof tiles and timbers for use in their own buildings and the mission's adobe walls began to dissolve. A new adobe church was built for the parish at the same site of the original mission church.

I decided to research the missions of California, because I have always had some interest in them. I remember helping the students in our after school program, work on their 5th grade mission assignment, and finding it extremely interesting. I decided to look at the 21st mission, because it is closest to my home, and intrigued me; Who would not to learn about the civilization of their state. How certain cities got their name, and what all went into forming these great cities that make up California.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_missions_in_California
missions.bgmm.com
You tube: Spanish Missions
www.californiamissions.com

3c

In one of Matthew's first comments, he mentioned Freire's passion for teaching those who were not educated. I could not imagine living a life not being educated, not being to read nor write. I don't think people realize how profound the ability to read and write is. To be able to read a simple sign or vote in an election. What Freire did for many many people is profound in my book. He opened up doors for so many people; giving them another chance at life, and the ability to achieve something.

In the second part of Matthew's second half of his comments, it was also mentioned how humble Freire was. I think it is more than important to have lived and struggled a little; to better understand the lives of those who you are trying to touch. Freire was an extremely humble individual who learned early on what it meant to be homeless and without a lot. I think living a hard life, makes one strong.

Studying Freire has helped me tremendously. It has allowed me to better connect to the world of Latin America, and everything that region of our world brings to the table. It is always educational to look at a regions past before you attempt to understand their furute. We are always taught about the great people of our nation; however, I think it is just as important to focus on their influential people of other great areas.

3B Maya People

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo16RZGMcBk

The above link will take you to a youtube video of a person drawing a freestyle Mayan warrior. I thought the video was very unique, in the fact that you were able to see the piece of art work come alive, as well as discover how this person was able to draw such an object.

I found this video on youtube. I wanted to find something unique but different when it came to Mayan art. Everyone is use to seeing the same old style of Mayan art, this video gives peeople a different perspective on the Mayans.

The artist in the video is using a basic expo pen to do his art, which in my eyes was very interesting. The art work is of an authentic Mayan Warrior. I am eager to know where this person learned how to draw something so unique with such a basic tool.

Reading and watching videos on these Mayan people has really opened my eyes to the study of other cultures.

3A

1. During approximately 10,000 BC, hunter-gather type societies still existed, where we now call present-day Bogotá. Bogota, which traded with one another and with cultures living in the Magdalena River Valley. Beginning in the first millennium BC, groups of American Indians developed the political system of "Cacicazgos" with a pyramidal structure of power headed by Cacigues. Within Colombia, the two cultures with the most complex Cacicazgo systems were the Tayronas in the Caribbean River, and the Muiscas in the highlands around Bogotá. Both of these of which were of the Chibcha language family. The Muisca people are considered to have had one of the most developed political systems in South America, after the Incas.

I chose to look at the Maya people. I have always wanted to learn more about them, but never had the opportunity or reason to. In order to learn more about these great people, I used the link for the YouTube video. The video was extremely informative, giving the viewer very detailed information about that Maya people.

The maya people, were people of art. Their temples soared hundreds of feet into the air, reaching the heavens. The Maya were able to develop a unique system called hieroglyphic writing. Works of at and sculptures allowed others to understand the Maya's unique sense of style. The Maya's took their unique style to Mexico City where they have built this great city.

The Maya's took the name for the great city they created in Mexico City, from it's only source of water, a well. The Spanish mentioned that live victims were thrown into the sacred cell as a sacrifice to their rain god, who lived in the depths of the well.

The Maya also built a circular building, believed to be an observatory. By carefully watching the starts the Maya's were also able to develop a 365 day calendar and could even predict solar eclipses. El Castillo was built by the Spanish people. the 79 foot pyramid has 365 steps, the same amount of days in a solar year. It guards a testament to the Maya's skill at math and astronomy. Twice a year during the day of the Spring and Autumn equinox, a shadow falls on El Castillo, in the shape of a serpent, until it lines up with the head of El Castillo.

I obtained all of my information from the YouTube link. I believe the cite to be creditable because all the information has proper video to go with it, and were facts that I have all heard before.

Assignment 2C Art Answers

From Mariane's posting:

1.When did the museum open? November 1996

3. Who is the production company for this clip? Ziggy productions

From Christina's page:
1. Where is the MoLAA museum located and in the western part of the United States are there more museums dedicated to the Latin American culture? In the East Village district of Long Beach California. This is the only museum dedicated to Latin American Culture.

2. Who was the founder of MoLAA and when was it founded? The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach, California was founded by Dr. Robert Gumbiner in November 1996.

3.What is the art work in MoLAA about? The culture, life and embodiment of Latin American.