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| Tejano culture | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tejano culture |
| Region | Texas |
Tejano culture Tejano culture arises from centuries of interaction among Spanish Empire, Kingdom of Spain, New Spain, Mexico, Republic of Texas, United States of America and Indigenous peoples such as the Coahuiltecan, Karankawa, Caddo and Paleo-Indians. It blends influences from figures and institutions including Antonio López de Santa Anna, Stephen F. Austin, Lorenzo de Zavala, Sam Houston and later leaders like Lyndon B. Johnson, George W. Bush and Barack Obama who shaped policy in Austin, Texas and statewide politics. The culture is visible in places and events linked to San Antonio, Houston, El Paso, Texas, Laredo, Texas, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Texas and border crossings such as Rio Grande and treaties like the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Early roots trace to contact among Spanish missions in Texas, Viceroyalty of New Spain, settlers such as Alonso De León, explorers like Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and military campaigns including the Presidio system and the Texas Revolution. Migration flows involved populations arriving after events like the Mexican–American War, the Gadsden Purchase, and economic movements tied to Cattle ranching aristocracy and ranchos associated with families comparable to the King Ranch and entrepreneurs like Richard King (rancher). Urbanization, marked by growth in Galveston, Texas, Fort Worth, Dallas, and transportation projects such as the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway, reshaped communities alongside labor migrations linked to Bracero Program and industrial centers like Spindletop. Political organizations and civil rights movements including the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Chicano Movement, and leaders such as César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, Henry B. González, and José Ángel Gutiérrez influenced Tejano civic life.
Linguistic identity includes varieties of Spanish language—notably regional dialects—alongside English language bilingualism and contact phenomena found in South Texas English and codeswitching practices similar to those in Los Angeles and Chicago. Scholars and public figures including Rodolfo Gonzales, Gloria E. Anzaldúa, Sandra Cisneros, Rudolfo A. Anaya and institutions like University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, University of Houston and Texas State University study identity formation and labels involving Hispanic and Latino Americans classification systems used by the United States Census Bureau. Debates around assimilation, cultural retention, voting patterns, and representation involve elected officials such as Julian Castro, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Henry Cisneros and organizations like MALDEF.
Musical traditions include Tejano music ensembles drawing on conjunto (Texas-Mexican music), norteño music, ranchera, mariachi, cumbia, and country music. Iconic performers and innovators include Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, Laura Canales, Emilio Navaira, Flaco Jiménez, Norris Sanchez and producers associated with labels like Discos Musart and venues across San Antonio River Walk, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, South by Southwest, Tejano Conjunto Festival and Fiesta San Antonio. Dance forms include steps and social dances linked to polka influence from German Texans and to ballroom practices celebrated at events featuring artists such as Los Tigres del Norte and Antonio Aguilar.
Culinary expression mixes Spanish cuisine, Mexican cuisine, Indigenous ingredients like corn and mesquite, and settler foods from Anglo-Americana sources. Signature items include barbacoa, tamales, enchiladas, chili con carne, fajitas promoted by restaurateurs like Iraan Perry and regional preparations at markets such as El Mercado (San Antonio) and festivals in Laredo. Influential chefs and writers including Rodolfo Gonzales (chef), Pati Jinich, Rick Bayless, and institutions such as James Beard Foundation highlight fusion trends; foodways appear in cookbooks, family-run diners, and community events at landmarks like Market Square (San Antonio).
Religious life centers on Roman Catholic Church parishes established at Spanish missions in Texas and dioceses such as Diocese of San Antonio, alongside Protestant congregations, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran Church, and newer movements. Festivities include Cinco de Mayo commemorations, Dia de los Muertos observances, Fiesta San Antonio, Charro Days, Semana Santa processions, Noche Mexicana events and patron saint fiestas tied to parish communities. Civic commemorations reference historical battles like the Battle of the Alamo and anniversaries observed in places like Goliad and San Jacinto Monument.
Visual and literary cultures incorporate muralism influenced by Mexican muralism and artists such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Joaquín Murrieta narratives and regional creators like Joaquín Blas, Mariano Azuela influences filtered through writers including Gloria Anzaldúa, Sandra Cisneros, Tomás Rivera, Alurista, Rolando Hinojosa-Smith and painters like Carmen Lomas Garza, J. R. Medina and Flavio Martínez. Institutions such as Mexic-Arte Museum, San Antonio Museum of Art, Menil Collection, Dallas Museum of Art and festivals like South by Southwest and Texas Book Festival provide platforms for playwrights, poets, and filmmakers including Luis Valdez, Gregory Nava, Robert Rodriguez and Alejandro González Iñárritu-adjacent networks.
Family structures draw on multigenerational households, kin networks, and civic organizations including League of United Latin American Citizens, Voto Latino, National Council of La Raza (UnidosUS), MALDEF, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce chapters and grassroots mutual aid groups. Educational institutions such as University of Texas at El Paso, Texas A&M International University, bilingual programs and charter schools interact with labor sectors—agriculture, oil, and service industries associated with Spindletop, Permian Basin and port economies in Port of Houston. Political figures from the community include Beto O'Rourke, Henry B. González, Lauro Cavazos; cultural memory is preserved in museums, archives, and civic monuments across San Antonio, Laredo, Texas, Brownsville, Texas, Kingsville, Texas and county courthouses.
Category:Texas culture