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Articles by Ruben Cobos, from July 6 - July 27, 1950. In July 6, 1950 Cobos provides the complete lyrics, text for the Decima Filosofica, communicated to him by Norberto Bernal, Sr., from Chacon, New Mexico, with serious advice about life and death, vida and muerte, that nothing endures forever, from kings to the most poor, includes comments by Cobos, decima form and music is from Spain, a type of poesia popular, he also includes a humorous decima, called Decima Humoristica, Mentiras, given to Cobos by J. M. Lovato, Amalia, New Mexico, is like those from the fifteenth century Spain, medieval times, singer complains of problems, worst is from piojos, lice. In July 13, 1950, is a decima, from Justinano Atencio, from Cebolla, New Mexico, called Los Padres Consentididores, about a son who turned bad, family, children, discipline, education. In July 20, 1950 article, Cobos turns to La Cancion Nuevo Mexicano, gives background of what are truly local regional songs from New Mexico, examples, indicate songs of Indians and Hispanos who have been killed by Anglos, inter racial, descrimination, struggle, war, muerte, death - one En Santa Fe los hueritos, fragments of the Indita de Tomasito, American Indian, Native American, killed by the Anglo North Americans, also Indita de Manuelito, an Indian, Native American, Navajo, killed by Anglo American traitors Charles and Captain Gray (Paddy Graydon), followed by fragment of Indita de Eustacio Lovato, an Hispanic killed by the Anglo Americans, Texans, Texas, and a fragment of the Indita de Mariano Leyba, Marino Leyba, who was killed by the Anglo Americans, land claim, he had an Indian wife, at San Antonito, New Mexico, East Mountains. In July 27, 1950, Cobos notes that the Anglos have also died in fights among each other, he gives a fragment of the Indita de Manuelito, within the song is mention of the United States Army Captain, James Graydon, James Paddy Graydon, who had killed the Navajo Chief Manuelito, Graydon himself later died at Fort Sumner, on the Rio Bonito, Lincoln County area, in a fight with the Army Doctor, Dr. John M. Whitlock, who had criticized Graydon for heartlessly impaling a Navajo baby on his bayonet, the Captain refused to accept the rebuke. Cobos also prints the Indita de Manuel B. Otero, by Sasimiro Lujan, of Torreon, New Mexico, in which the Anglo American James Whitney, from Boston, and his men (here called Whittier) came to Otero's ranch in Estancia, New Mexico, and claimed to own it, August 16, 1883, Otero is killed by the Anglos and Whitney is wounded, see Folder 7., July 1950

 File — Box: 12, Folder: 15

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

  • July 1950

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