Chicano and the Rise of Mitos: Luis Valdez

Year 2006, Issue: 23, 105 - 119, 01.04.2006

Ahmet Beşe

Abstract

Spanish language theatre has a long history in the New World as Elizabeth C. Ramírez points out: “When the conquistadores arrived in New Spain they also brought their interest in dramatic literature” Ramírez xvii . Through theatrical performances the conquistadors relived and demonstrated to the local indigenous populations past victories of the Spanish Empire thus asserting their military power. They also showed interest in the narratives relating the lives of the Saints taken from both historical and biblical sources. They used these narratives for socializing and evangelizing the Native American populations. The missionary priests incorporated theatre as an excellent vehicle through which Catholic doctrine could be taught to the peoples around them i.e. the indigenous communities . This instructive ideology was used through the enactment and performance of passages from the Bible, and the tradition of using theatre for cultural and religious purposes later formed an important part of Chicano theater.

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