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Interview with Chihuahua vatos conducted while walking around the city, August 12, 1985; Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Dublin Core

Title

Interview with Chihuahua vatos conducted while walking around the city, August 12, 1985; Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Description

This oral history, conducted in Tijuana and Chihuahua, Mexico, contains interviews with different individuals Dr. Cummings encountered while walking around the two cities. She first speaks to a group of cholas in Tijuana. The next interview was conducted five days later in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Dr. Cummings first speaks with a twenty-one-year-old taxi driver, who explains some elements of cholo style and its connection to the pachucos. She then talks with a young man named Luis on the street. He explains some characteristics of cholo style-–including hair, shoes, and clothes--but mentions that police often target people who look like cholos, which has reduced the number of people dressing that way. Luis discusses come of the confrontations or “broncas” between people from different barrios that he has witnessed and explains how fights break out. He talks about some additional cultural aspects beyond style, including slang, nicknames, handshakes, hand signs, and tattoos. He also talks about Cholas, their manner of dress, and their involvement in the barrios.

Creator

Cummings, Laura (Laura Lee)

Source

Dr. Laura Lee Cummings Pachuco/Caló Oral History Project Collection (MS 592). Special Collections, University of Arizona Libraries.

Publisher

University of Arizona Libraries

Date

1985-08-12

Rights

This item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the University of Arizona for non-commercial uses. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the University of Arizona.

Relation

Interview with Chihuahua Vatos in Aviary

Format

mp3

Language

Pachuco, Spanish

Type

sound recording - nonmusical

Identifier

MS592.06

azu_MS592_tape06

Sound Item Type Metadata

Original Format

audiocassette

Duration

72 minutes

Citation

Cummings, Laura (Laura Lee) , “Interview with Chihuahua vatos conducted while walking around the city, August 12, 1985; Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico.,” Special Collections Online Exhibits, accessed January 10, 2026, https://exhibits.lib.arizona.edu/items/show/1590.