"A mother's love cannot be bought for any price, nor can the values that she imparts," stated Maria Luisa Aguilera with conviction.
Aguilera is an early childhood teacher at the Jose Marti Child Development Center located in El Centro de La Raza on Beacon Hill. Among teaching academic subjects in preparation for school, children are taught equality, social justice and family unity through poetry, art, music and community projects.
Seated on curved risers in the main room of the child development center, Aguilera and I were surrounded by walls festooned with colorful arts and crafts made by her small pupils. Meeting during the children's naptime, we talked at length about the meaning of Mother's Day, or El Día de La Madre, in Mexican culture.
"After Christmas, Mother's Day is the most important day of the year in Mexico," Aguilera said.
More significant than a woman's birthday, Mother's Day is the day upon which women receive washers or other appliances or household items that will assist them in caring for their families.
"To be a mother in Mexico is very important for two particular reasons," she emphasized. "The first is that motherhood, like God, means creation, the creation of life. The second is that mama brings life, love and harmony to her family.
"Mexican people always try hard to maintain family ties; the mother is the family nucleus. Every mother must make sacrifices in order to maintain a strong family. She is the one who teaches her children universal values which will guide them throughout their lives," Aguilera explained. "These universal values are love of family, respect for one's parents and pride in maintaining one's traditions."
< BR>A NATIVE GROUNDING
Family traditions and heritage are not only vital to Aguilera, but are part of her lifeblood. A mother of two, she is an experienced early childhood educator. Coming to Seattle seven years ago from her home state of Michoacan in southern Mexico, Aguilera traveled among seven rural villages and small towns much like a circuit rider. She taught at schools in each of the seven towns.
A descendent of the Purepecha Indians (called the Tarascan Indians by the Spanish) on her mother's side, Aguilera is very proud to be a descendent of native people.
"Mexico has many, many Indian cultures," Aguilera stated. "The Purepecha are a matrilineal society. The woman, mother, organizes and plans for her family. She is responsible for ensuring that her children can provide not only in a material, but also a moral, sense."
It is more than fair to say that mothers hold such sentiments the world around.
"Mother is the center of family life in Mexican society," she continued. "Much as the sun is the center of our solar system. Family members revolve around her the way the earth revolves around the sun. Being a mother means being a counselor, an idea person and a help. Mother's Day signifies that mothers make daily sacrifices, working for dignity, human rights, their families and in particular their children."
In Mexican culture, women often address children, theirs and those of other women, as "mijo" or "mija." These are shortened terms for "my son" and "my daughter." Aguilera feels it is because there is a unity among women in her culture.
"This practice is very, very common," she said. "It's part of the culture of being a mother. Love of mothers for children is universal."
This comes through clearly in conversation with Aguilera.
MORE THAN A CARD
Mexican people travel far and wide to be home on Mother's Day. Getting together with one's family to honor mother is of vital importance, and brothers and sister gather at the family home on this important day. They travel home for the celebration the way Americans go home for Thanksgiving, according to Aguilera.
"Each village, no matter the size, has at least a duo or trio of local musicians. Larger towns have bands with singers. The tradition is that musicians travel to each house, throughout the village to serenade each lady beneath her window," Aguilera said.
According to Aguilera, the musicians begin their songs just before dawn, and they sing the lovely Las Mañanitas. This is a song of greeting for a loved one, and it tells the loved one that dawn is coming, it's a special day and that they are loved. Some towns feature a group of mariachis with trumpets, guitars, and violins. Food preparation can begin a few days ahead.
"This is the only day of the year that a woman does not enter the kitchen. She is free from chores on her special day. Her children prepare her food, " Aguilera said.
Since families get together, and some families still live with their extended relations, the kitchen is a busy place. People talk, visit and catch up on family news and gossip as each generation prepares meals for the mothers and fathers.
"I won't have to fix any food for myself or my family that day because my two daughters will do the work," Aguilera said. "However, I'll be working alongside them as I fix food for my mother."
Aguilera noted that all of her brothers and sisters live in Seattle so everyone will be together.
For those who have lost their mothers, Aguilera said a visit to the cemetery to place flowers upon her grave will occur. Many people attend church and place flowers at the feet of the statue of the Virgin Mary. While church and state are strictly separated in Mexico the Virgin of Guadalupe is Mexico's patron saint and venerated on this special day for mothers.
MOM'S MEAL
Each town may have a culinary specialty for this momentous day. Aguilera mentioned that a typical menu might include such dishes as mole (a substantial soup, in this instance, of meat and vegetables) and rice, corn tamales, freshly made fruit juices, fresh fruits and a cake.
The tamales from Michoacan are exceptional. Coming from the area of Lake Patzcuaro, they are triangular in shape. Called corundas, the tamale dough is made with whole, dried corn cooked with ash from burned firewood and limestone, which loosens the skin from each kernel. Cheese, onions and dried chilies are incorporated into the dough along with crème fraiche or sour cream.
Wrapped in fresh corn leaves instead of dried husks and shaped into triangles, the tamales from Aguilera's homeland are then steamed and served with a tomatillo and tomato sauce seasoned with chiles, onions and garlic.
The Patzcuaro area is the home of the Purepecha Indians. The people of the region are famous for catching the small, white fish of Lake Patzcuaro in large nets from handmade boats. The Purepecha also prepare a famous Tarazcan soup Patzcuaro-style, which is made with dried beans, onions and tomatoes and garnished with sour cream, cheese and tortillas sprinkled with dried ancho chilies and slices of avocado. It's a feast designed to honor tradition and the key family figure, Mom.
Beacon Hill writer Georgia Lord Watanabe may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.[[In-content Ad]]
