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Articles by Ruben Cobos, from November 3 to 24, 1949. In the November 3, 1949 article, has the Entriegas de Novios, Quinta Parte, as contributed as part of the contest, by Senora Isabelita R. Fuentes, from Logan, New Mexico, communicated to Cobos by Alberto Romero also of Logan, New Mexico, here are the complete words or lyrics to a wedding entriega, entrega at Logan, marriage song. The entregas are composed directly spontaneously by the folk poets for the occasion. Followed by another complete set of verses of the entriega as sung by Dona Pablita Galindro, from Los Colonias, New Mexico, residing in Albuquerque. In the November 10, 1949 article, Sexta Parte, Cobos presents some of the verses, lyrics of a Despedida de Novios, farewell to the newly married couple, as received from Manual B. McBride, from the public schools of Grants, New Mexico, which he gathered in San Fidel, New Mexico, which was recited by Delfin Saavedra, formerly of San Fidel, but now living in Albuquerque. The poet tells the newly weds about the changes in their lives, from youngsters to adults and their new responsilities as man and wife, etc., with notes and explanation by Cobos. Next he includes an example of una entriega, entrega de bautismo, baptism verses, as contributed by Senora Pablita Galindo, formerly of Las Colonias, New Mexico and now of Albuquerque. In November 17, 1947, Septima Parte, Cobos continues with the entrega de bautismo, entriega, and gives further notes and descriptions of the ceremony. Then while he was observing the entregas, Cobos switchs to the topic of who were the poets - El Viejo, Vilmas, El Negrito, Chicoria, Gracia, Cienfuegos, Taberas, etc. and what were their verses? These poets composed their verses on the spot, improvising. As the people at the baptism began to talk about such poets, Cobos went to his car and got his recorder to capture their comments. His notes only the folk poet Chicoria was from New Mexico, the others were from outside, but Cobos still was uncertain on this point. These poets did not have much education but remembered everything in their heads, were hombres esenciales. One man, Luis Martinez, a poet from Martinez, Martineztown, Albuquerque, told Cobos that Martin Chicoria was from Los Griegos, Albuquerque, and that he was the uncle of the deceased Pablo Garcia. One time Chicoria joined some friends on a mule train, Santa Fe Trail, passing through Albuquerque, from Kansas City to Chihuahua, Mexico, where he worked as an arreador, mule driver. His friends wanted him to meet the Mexican poet Gracia in Chihuahua and tricked him into going to a wedding, which turned out to be a contest between the two poets, un trovo. In the article Cobos prints the entire text of the battle of the poets, verses, challenges, insults, criticism of each other, comments on Padre Julian, etc. In the November 27, 1949, Octava Parte, Cobos continues the joust of the two poets, and concludes that the humble Chicoria from New Mexico won the contest against the arrogant poet from Mexico, Gracia. Cobos gives more comments on Chicoria, Taberas and Gracia. Then Cobos talks about the poet Vilmas and gives credit to the people who sang and provided the verses about Vilmas to Cobos - Manuel A. Esquibel, of La Joya, New Mexico, Elizardo Valdes, from Canones, New Mexico, Amador Abeyta, now deceased, from Sabinal, New Mexico, Abran Sanchez, from Las Lagunitas, New Mexico, near Cuba, Avelino J. Martinez, from La Alameda, New Mexico, Luis Martinez, the poet from Los Martinez, Martineztown, Albuquerque, and Antonio J. Maes, from Ocate, New Mexico. Before his death, Ambrosio Archuleta, from Tecolote, New Mexico, sang some verses from Vilmas for Cobos. In the article Cobos has prints the verses of a poetic challenge between the two poets - Vilmas and Gracia., November 1949

 File — Box: 12, Folder: 7

Scope and Content

From the Collection: The collection consists of 591 recordings of folk songs, folklore and local histories collected by Ruben Cobos from 1944-1974 in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Also included in the collection are about 270 additional recordings of selected music - a few from New Mexico, many from Mexico and Latin America, and others from Spain, Europe and the U.S. The recordings vary in quality between good, fair, and poor. They contain both musical and spoken content. Most recordings are in Spanish, however, a few are in English. Others are Bilingual or represent the use of Spanglish.

The informants are mainly from New Mexico and Colorado, with a few from California, Texas and Mexico. The collections focuses heavily on spoken Spanish, with examples of poetry, riddles, proverbs, legends, anecdotes, folk tales, mysteries, prayers, nursery rhymes, games, jokes, language use, tricky words, tongue twisters, memories, local history and family history. The Spanish songs include alabados, entriegas for weddings and baptisms, inditas, corridos and ballads, pastores, posadas, love songs, folk dance music, etc. Traditions of Los Juanes and Los Manueles, Penitente morada practices, including women Penitentes, Holy Week songs and activities and the role of the church, santos and fiestas in the lives of the people are also included. There are also several lectures on folklore, music and culture by Cobos and other scholars, including Fray Angelico Chavez, Charles Briggs, Alfonso Ortiz, Arthur Leon Campa, Marta Weigle, Guadalupe Baca Vaughn, Anita Thomas and others. Included also are autobiographical accounts by Ruben Cobos and his wife Elvira.

Songs and stories about and for children, their health and education are included. Although the majority of the information is about Spanish and Hispanic traditions, the collection also provides some materials by and about non-Hispanics and the relationship between the races. A small amount of stories and songs relate to Apaches, Navajos, Pueblos, Mexicanos, African Americans, and Anglos (gringos).

Songs and stories by or about males show them in every walk of life, as rich and poor, old and young, as husbands, widowers, fathers, sons, relatives, compadres, friends, orphans, opponents, collaborators, kings, princes, commoners, giants, ranchers, cowboys, shepherds, farmers, woodcutters, shoemakers, vendors, railroaders, hunters, priests, doctors, teachers, politicians, attorneys, meteorologists, soldiers, witches, simpletons, gamblers, murderers, drunks, adulturers and thieves.

Recordings by and about women add value and perspective to the collection. Females are rich and poor, old and young, girl friends, lovers, adulteresses, wives, widows, mothers, comadres, church attendees, housekeepers for priests, nuns, princesses, queens, teachers, curanderas, cooks and witches. Some of the characters found in the collection are Cinderella, Genoveva de Brabanate, Goldilocks, Delgadina, La Llorona, Doña Cebolla, Dona Fortuna and the Virgin Mary, as well as San Antonio, San Pedro, Bartoldo, Don Cacahuate, Juan Charrasqueado, Pedro and Juan de Urdemalas, Ali Baba, Don Dinero, Tio Botitas and others.

The collection contains descriptions, traditions, local history and songs for New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Kansas and Mexico. There are references to the Civil War in New Mexico, the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. Stories tell of superstitions, supernatural, unexplained phenomenon, balls of fire and light, lightening, a comet, the sun, moon, finding treasure, ghosts, devils and magic. Additional topics include traditional food and cooking, health and home remedies. Included also are stories and references to insects, animals, birds, fish and snakes, as well as floods and storms, and automobiles and airplanes.

Dates

  • November 1949

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English, Spanish

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 13 boxes (12.25 cu. ft.)

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451