In Evil Hour

IN EVIL HOUR

Gabriel  Marquez

In Evil Hour, by Gabriel Marquez. Published in 1979. 183 pages. In Evil hour, takes place in a small town that is plagued with corruption and scandal with caricatures appearing all over town. The book plays on themes that are problematic in Latin America. The most prevalent themes in the story include: Corruption, and violation of fundamental freedoms and rights with implementation of martial law, and abuse of power.

Although the setting of the story is not quickly revealed, there are some subtle clues that suggest that it takes place in a small Colombian town. In Latin America, even today, corruption is still a widespread issue. Corruption can come in many forms such as exploitation, exercise of power, deception, and collusion.  Cesar murders the Pastor. Later (on page 75) we will learn that there is some level of cooperation between Cesar and the Mayor of the town. Rather than being sent to jail, Cesar receives $5000 pesos plus live stock and is sent out. It is revealed that Cesar has wealth, possibly from back door deals with the government. The mayor also mentions that the government assassinates wealthy people and claims their assets to pay off fraudulent political victories. ("There were orders to do you in. There were orders to murder you in ambush and confiscate your livestock so the government would have a way to pay off the enormous expenses of the elections in the whole department. You know that other mayors did it in other towns. Here, on the other hand, we disobeyed the order." ¹) As the above quotation suggested, there was foul play involved with the previous election. Earlier in the storey, the Mayor talks about destroying electoral documents of the opposition. (``As a result of the last elections, the police had confiscated and destroyed the electoral documents of the opposition party.`` The majority of the inhabitants of the town now lacked any means of identification``<sup>3</sup>.) Other acts of corruption are revealed to Judge Arcadio on different occasions where it is revealed to him that a previous judge and town deputy had both been ordered to be killed. In the case of the previous judge, Judge Vitela, he was murdered for getting drunk and announcing that he would ``Guarantee the sanctity of the ballot²``.   As for the deputy, he was beaten to death with the butt-end of a gun. Back door dealings, electoral fraud and killing those who step out of party lines are not a-typical of a corrupt regime. These are just a few examples spelled out in the book. These and other forms of corruption are manifested in forms of fear, threats, and violations of freedoms and rights.  An example of fear is brought about with the Mayors implementation with marshal law and declaration of a state of siege. With that, he begins to crack down on his opposition.

In the town, there has been a string of lampoons, or caricatures that have been showing up to that illustrate rumors and opinions of the people depicted in the drawings. Such people include the Mayor, the Judge. The fear that these caricatures impose on the people is the fear of what will happen because of what has happened, as is explained briefly by the secretary of the judge. (``"We've already had the first death," he said. "If things go on like this we're going to have a bad time of it." And he told the story of a town that was wiped out in seven days by lampoons. The inhabitants ended up killing each other off. The survivors dug up the bones of their dead and carried them off to be sure they'd never come back.`` ⁴)  The secretary tells the Judge of a massacre. The first death he refers to is the pastor which sparked the whole crack down in the town. Although, the he doesn`t explain how it happened, it gives us an idea of what kind of people, and regimes are ruling in the area. It also perhaps hints at upcoming events.

Throughout the rest of the story, as the Mayor commences his crackdown on the town’s people, many are taken by force and detained in the local barracks where they are interrogated.

Although, on the surface, the incidents in the book are localized to small towns; these situations are replayed all over the world, especially in Latin America and on a larger setting. This book can serve as an analysis of events in Latin America that happened in the past and that are surfacing today. By examining the situations, and comparing it with situations in Latin America. In the storey, we see that the Mayor acts almost like a despot with his establishment of martial law. Examples of corruption and abuse of power in Latin America are still making everyday news. One example, in a recent CNN news article that is coming to light is the chief of Bolivian armed forces being arrested for taking government funding and ``charged him with illicit enrichment, dereliction of duty and abuse of influence``⁴) . Other examples which has a parallel with this storey is Brazil between 1946 and 1988 under military rule, and Chile under Pinochet`s Rule.   In another recent CNN article, public apologies were sought over 30 years after various human right violations were made by the military regime.  During that time, according to Human rights watch, it is estimated that over 475 people had disappear while thousands of others are believed to have been detained and possibly tortured.``…The military wanted to impose silence to keep the public from knowing the truth about the methods of repression. Further, investigating is aimed at refuting the arguments of the military apologists who always defended themselves by claiming that they were reacting to grave threats by taking 'normal' police measures…``⁶

With respect to the distribution of lampoons in the story, during times of dictatorships in Latin America around the 1970`s-1980`s distribution of opinion based material such as books or caricatures would result in harassment and arrest. Perhaps the best case and most well known case in Latin America that models the themes of this story, though in an extreme case, would be the military rule of Pinochet. Although in the story, the lampoons spurred the situation in the story, the volatility existed. Under Pinochet`s military dictatorship, it was declared illegal for anyone to publicly slander, or offend the president. These laws gave power to supporters of the regime to control media and restrict free press and speech. Pinochet also appointed pro-military persons to enforce his policies, include judges. Many great writers in Chile were arrested for their publishing’s which may have been deemed controversial toward the regime. During his seventeen-year military dictatorship, Pinochet largely used the media to promote his newly imposed economic and anti-democratic policies. He also implemented state security measures that limited the civil rights of individuals as well as severely curtailed freedom of the press, expression of opinion, as well as flow and access to information.``<sup>7</sup>  To the Mayor in the story, the rumors and messages lampoons were illustrating were deemed as offensive and slanderous to the Mayor and ruling party. Anyone who produced or distributed lampoons were considered as opposition and an enemy, and thus subject to arrest. Ultimate outcomes of suppression of rights and freedoms in Latin America had become catalysts in the formation of social movements across Latin America. Although the storey does not explicitly explore social movements, it could certainly demonstrate relations to the start of one. Of course, in this storey, it’s the fear of a devastating reaction in the form of massacre that has brought about the ``state of unrest``, however, fear in its forms are tools of a dictatorship.

Overall, I found the book a somewhat easy read; however, there were points in the book that were difficult to follow with respects to conversation and who is saying what, and in what context. Context and expressions were not always easy to understand. Perhaps its translation from Spanish may created these difficulties.  Also not having a well defined period in time or location (although there are hints to suggest it is a village somewhere in Colombia around the time the book was being published in the late 1970`s) as part of the settings maybe have contributed to these difficulties, or perhaps it would have made me create assumptions. Also, I found that some events or the reasoning behind events where not always well defined, but rather seemingly out of nowhere. It is possible that events may have been explained later in the book; however, being pressed for time, I was not able to complete reading the book. I was able to read enough to grasp the book`s themes that stood out to me.

 
One way the book was successful, was that certain themes, motifs, and other elements were made well clear. Had the author at least declare the settings in Colombia around the 1970`s, it would at least give the readers a clue to the understandings of the political situations in the area. However, a little research on the author had helped clarify the settings of the book. With the themes in the book, I tried to relate them to the political situations in South America around the time the book was published. As mentioned above, the case of Pinochet in Chile relating to the suppression of freedom of press and expression while under martial law, and the military rule in Brazil where people were detained and tortured while disguised as typical police routine. In Bolivia, it was to show that corruption and abuse of power is still present, although, there are no places in the world that are immune to this.

In Evil Hour serves as a tool which can be used to reflect on the political situation of Latin America around the 1970`s-1980`s. Although the situation in the story is relatively light in contrast to events in real life, it can be an analysis. Knowing the history of the area can make exploiting these themes easier. Its well known that in the third world, corruption is rampant, but to understand these themes it is important to have understandings of the events in the area and how restriction were implemented. In Latin America, about this time, these sorts of events have lead to the development of social movements. Again social movements are not explicit in the story, the events depicted in the story with respects to events in Latin America, can act as a springboard toward social movements, which should be taken into consideration.

 References:

1.    In Evil Hour, by Gabriel Marquez. Published in 1979. pg 75

2.    In Evil Hour, by Gabriel Marquez. Published in 1979. pg 25

3.    In Evil Hour, by Gabriel Marquez. Published in 1979. pg 62

4.    In Evil Hour, by Gabriel Marquez. Published in 1979. pg 26

5.    Former Bolivian armed forces Chief arrested http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/12/world/americas/bolivia-ex-general-arrested/index.html

6.    Political Prisoners of Brazil`s Dictatorship get appologies. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/04/world/americas/brazil-president-apology/index.html

Chile http://www.pressreference.com/Be-Co/Chile.html

Guantanamera Song Analysis

Guantanamera

Jose Fernandez

Song Analysis

Guantanamera was a song originally written by Jose Fernandez in Cuba around 1929. When first written, though the details vary from place to place, the song was written about his love interest with a woman from Guantanamo. Over the years, the song has evolved and been covered by many different artists in different music styles. Some covers; however don’t even come close to resembling the original, or other covers especially in terms of lyrics and perhaps its meaning.

Today Guantanamera is one of the most popular folk songs of Cuba that has now become a song of national pride and an unofficial anthem to Cuba. Perhaps the reason for this is not only the use of poetry for lyrics, but how the lyrics speak to the people. The first lines of the song were adapted from Jose Marti, a Cuban freedom activist in from the late 1800’s. “I am a truthful man from this land of palm trees. Before dying I want to share these poems of my soul”. These lines saw gave the song its foundation for use among peace and justice movements and demonstrations particularly with future social issues Cuba would later encounter. Other lines, such as “With the poor people of the earth. I want to cast my lot” has given the song a more universal meaning for relating to equality and social freedom, rather than just being another song about Cuba. Throughout the rest of Latin America however, the song still, for the most part remains as a popular love song. Another reason for its popularity, not only does the melody support a traditional style of Cuban folk music, it lyrics are easily improvised with the insertion of poetry. The song itself is a vehicle for all kinds of purposes, in some cases, even political.

Today’s interpretation of the song outside of Cuba (in the US) is used in connection and contrast with the US base Guantanamo Bay. It is often sung by freedom activists especially at the 10 year anniversary of the re-opening of Guantanamo bay demonstrations. One of the original interpretations of the song deals with the natural beauty of Cuba, but is now contrasted with the ugliness of a site iconic for human rights violations on the established US Base. It’s viewed as if the base was a blood stain on the country. Also, Guantanamo bay also stands as a symbol of US imperialism in Cuba. Today Guantanamera is both synonymous and a juxtaposition to Guantanamo. This is an extreme example of how the songs universality. Other social issues tied to this song by present day freedom activists also include issues with immigration.

The song is now considered an icon of Cuban identity. As mentioned, it has been covered by artists from all over. Even today the song is still evolving in style, and lyrics are sometimes improvised to fit situations ranging from everyday issues to political and social issues. Although Jose Fernandez wrote and established the original song, and was given official recognition, it is often known as a song without an author because it has been covered by so many artists, and with having the lyrics often improvised. The Music styles of can range from regular Cuban folk music to Nueva Cancion to commercialized North American music. For example, so-called “artist” PitBull has made his own version of the song to tribute his Cuban roots. However, his version bares little resemblance to the original or other

While listening to the original version of the song as performed by Jose Fernandez, one can identify the song as a traditional Cuban folk song. Most other versions still maintain this traditional sound. The way the song is often performed can bring to mind the warmth of Cuba’s exotic beauty, though it seems history and present day issues can overshadow this to some extent. To me, it also brings up thoughts of the time of the Cuban revolution. Tributes to Che Guevara featuring this have been circulated through popular media especially on youtube. Again, as mentioned, the song has been given relevance to some as being contrasted with Guantanamo Bay.

Overall, I understand the song is a popular folk song that has reached a level of being an unofficial national anthem. To many throughout Latin America, it is most simply viewed as a popular love song. To Cubans, the song has the ability to take on meanings. The first lines relate to equality and social freedom having been taken from a poem by Jose Marti. The last verse at a glance is to appeal to the lower and marginalized Cuban class. In between glorifies beauty, whether for the land, or the woman from the land, it also has room for abstraction, the true meaning, both apparent and underlying can be made to suit the times of the cover artist.

Spanish Lyrics

Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la palma
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera

Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carmi­n encendido
Mi verso es un ciervo herido
Que busca en el monte amparo
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera

Cultivo una rosa blanca
En julio como en enero
Para el amigo sincero
Que me da su mano franca
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera

Con los pobres de la tierra
Quiero yo mi suerte echar
El arroyo de la sierra
Me complace mas que el mar
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera

English Lyrics

I am a truthful man
From where the palm tree grows
And before dying I want
To let out the verses of my soul

My verse is light green
And it is flaming red
My verse is a wounded stag
Who seeks refuge on the mountain

I grow a white rose
In July just as in January
For the honest friend
Who gives me his open hand

With the poor people of the earth
I want to cast my lot
The brook of the mountains
Gives me more pleasure than the sea

References

1)    Spanish Lyrics to Guantanamera for you to enjoy...: http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com/Spanish-Lyrics-to-Guantanamera.html

Guantanamera, History of a Folk Song: http://folkmusic.about.com/od/folksongs/qt/Guantanamera.htm

Etnic Identity in Nahua Mesoamerica Ethnography Reprot

Ethnic Identity in Nahua Mesoamerica

Ethnic Identity in Nahua Mesoamerica: The View from Archaeology, Art History, Ethnohistory and Contemporary Ethnography by Fraces F. Berdan, John K. Chance. Alan R. Sandstorm, Barbra L. Stark, James M, Taggart, and Emily Umberger. Ethnography. Published 2007, 266 pgs. Ethnic Identity in Nahua Mesoamerica is an Ethnography that focuses on the Nahua tribes of Mesoamerica and how the concept of ethnicity applies in various regions and time periods in central Mexico, and ethnic life-cycles. The interpretations of the various authors are made in each chapter. Each chapter focuses on a certain region at a certain period of time.

The core subject surrounding this ethnography is the concept of ethnicity which is explained from a multidisciplinary stand-point in the first chapter. This chapter is the most important with respects to the rest of the book as it establishes how specific terms are defined. The term ethnicity itself encompasses many qualities and specific characteristics, some of which, overlapping. Ethnicity is characterized by human differences that establish an identity, and is built in cultural groups and developed through life actions. When dealing with the concept of ethnicity, the author makes an explicit statement that life cycle of ethnicity should be considered as well rather than limiting focus strictly to the concept of ethnicity.  The chapter progresses to explain ethnicity as a point of common heritage. Ancestral lineage/ kinship, and place of origin are an obvious place to start. However, in terms of race, there may not be any biological correlation. Other factors that may shape ethnicity in non-biological factors may include a shared history, or geography. Ethnicity also carries with it boundaries that may or may not be distinct and in fact overlap with other ethnic groups. These boundaries are not limited by established international boundaries or are treated as such. The boundaries of ethnic groups may be social with some territorial implications. The book then proceeds to explain how regional identities are a less specific way form of identity among ethnic groups as it is usually a result of the expansion of a state, such as with the Aztecs in pre-colonial times.

Chapter four of the book applies the defined concept of ethnicity to the period of Aztec rule up until Spanish conquest around the central plateau, along with factors associated with ethnic groups. Such factors include distinguishing emblems of ethnic groups, social class and relations, and the political and territorial implications. It also brings in other dimensions of ethnicity, which bond groups or divide them.

The main purpose of this chapter is discussing emblems of ethnic or group affiliations, and other defining traits or dimensions. Some Emblems may include language, food preferences, religion, and clothing and body adornments and symbols. Chapter four contains a chart that describes many of the tribes in area with respect to the Mexica. One important point brought up in the first chapter is how “Ethnic identity is not only “self-defined”, but as often as not, is often defined by others.”  Ethnicity is mostly only significant when dealing with multicultural societies. It was not uncommon in Postclassical times for one ethnic group to gain economic, resource, or military power, and integrate less dominant groups into a hierarchy and sphere of influence. This is the case with the Aztec empire. The Aztecs are only one of several Nahua tribes, however, due to the expansion of their state, many other ethnic groups and other Nahua tribes where consumed by the state. When ethnic groups were integrated, ethnic identity was only a small factor considered in integration. Integration into the Aztec state was approached based on circumstance and relations with the other ethnic groups. Although attitude between groups was present, it was not “embedded in social or political institutions.

Given the time frame discussed in chapter four, it creates a bridge for chapter five, by discussing the fundamental changes brought about by the Europeans during the time of conquest. This time frame brought about new political, social, and economic reforms. Although the people maintained their ethnicity, strong adjustments were made.

Chapter seven gives a more contemporary view of the concept of ethnicity as applied to the Nahua tribes. The chapter begins again with ethnicity and culture and its place with common heritage. The Nahua people claim their ethnicity to be “grounded in the meaning of the corn...” Because corn was such an important staple, its object that is one with the people.  The idea of common heritage is associating planting corn and human procreation. Common heritage in indigenous groups generally deals with handed down myths of their origin. The Nahuat do not consider themselves to be an ethnic group when talking about blood lines and kinship.

Chapter seven then continues to discuss the interactions and attitudes of the Mestizos with the Nahuat. With the Mestizos, biological kinship and ethnicity is associated with race. To Metizos, ethnicity is a matter of “being” rather than to the Nahua as “doing”. The author of this chapter uses this observation when recounting his experience in Huitzilan with the Nahua people. When the author visited the region, he did not understand the Nahua ethnicity, as like the Mestizos, connected ethnicity with race.  The Mestizos considered themselves as people of reason, and the Nahuat to be “little” people, or even as far to say as classless. The author found that the Mestizos relate themselves with the Nahuat as Whites and Blacks in the United States.

One subject the book clearly emphasizes is the concept of ethnicity. I found this to be one of the successes of the ethnography because of how well it (ethnicity) is defined from a multidisciplinary view such that it could be made clear and applicable for analysis. I found chapters one, four, and seven, the most significant and interesting, Chapter one was significant as it defined the frame work that the ethnography is built on by defining terms and concepts. Because the book is written by various others to write about the Nahua tribes at different periods in times and places, the term is re-evaluated in how it is applied with its roots in chapter one. Chapter four, because it expands on the terms and concepts of chapter one and expands on other key defining dimensions in pre-conquest times. The chapter then also introduces the change in the apparent definition of ethnicity with during conquest. Also, I chose chapter seven as significant because it brings in a contemporary view of ethnicity of the Nahua people.

 From the first chapter, the concept of ethnicity is more consistently defined as actions that are developed which one can identify themselves as part of a cultural group. The definitions provided in the first chapter along with other associated factors such as common heritage or shared history and others less specific (ie. common friends/ enemies) is most effective when defining ethnic groups in “poly-ethnic” indigenous societies.  I say this from the perspective of one whom may identify these societies as homogeneous on the surface. In present times, as chapter seven discuses, ethnicity has become more superficial, especially in terms of biology; it is a “matter being”, rather than “doing”. This was brought about by the Spanish during the time of conquest, and perhaps a product of their caste system. Having traveled to various regions in Mexico, particularly in the central region, I found this attitude very apparent.  The author of chapter seven recounts his experience between the Nahuat and Mestizos in Huitzilan, Mexico. As mentioned, he noticed the Mestizos talk about the Nahuat as if it were blacks and whites in the United States. In present day Mexico, it is believed that the Mestizos have a “racist” attitude toward the Nahua, to an extent which some say is one of the reasons the many Nahua people find themselves marginalized and thus caught in a cycle of poverty. It can be obsereved that in Mexico that the whites, and Mestizos, would make up much of the middle and upper class of society whereas the indigenous groups make up almost the entire marginalized group of society. Some have gone as far to explain as “culture of poverty”; however as this book points out, it is, again, the practice of “doing” that defines a groups ethnicity, and living a certain way of life outlined by you ethnicity may not work well with the established system. It is a phenomenon that plagues most of North America.

When examining the Nahua tribes throughout central Mexico, the author in chapter four noted that there are vast differences between the Nahua tribes from place to place. This is when the concepts of ethnicity defined in chapter one and the dimensions discussed in chapter four are useful in distinguish the groups. Even in present days, this is apparent. There are distinct emblems and symbols that can be used to distinguish the Nahua tribes. In Colima, for example, I noticed the symbol of dancing dogs (a symbol of unity, possible between tribes), whereas the symbols near Mexico City are those of the Aztec that we are familiar with, such as the Jaguar, Tenochtitlan, Teotihuacan and so on. As chapter 3 discusses, in Tenochtitlan, hieroglyphs could also be interpreted based on style and subtle differences. Teotihuacan is an example of how culture is integrated into a specific group. The Aztecs themselves did not actually build Teotihuacan, but rather happened upon it, however, it is now an icon of the Aztec people which overshadows the past One purpose for these differences is the how the land contributes to shaping the ethnic identity of the tribes. As an example, throughout North America, the native tribes display similar characteristics and ethnic qualities over vast expansions of land; however, once we reach Mexico, it can be observed that there are vast changes in land over smaller distances. With differences in geographical features, the result is varying biodiversity in both flora and fauna, staples in diet, and access to certain materials. As the book mentioned, one of the factors of ethnicity is location, and how the people adapted to live and connect with the region which brings into account the practice of “doing” in defining ethnicity.  Also, the remnants of past cultures, such as in the case of Teotihuacan, can be adopted to shape and give identity to an ethnic group.

One of the weaknesses of this book, I feel, is that it could have had some more focus on the present day ethnicity of Nauha tribes and answer questions that may not have been as prevalent in pre-colonial times. For instance as chapter four discusses; emblems such as clothing, symbols and other traits were used to identify groups in poly-ethnic societies such as in the Aztec state; how does this relate to the tribes in the nation of Mexico? How has globalization impacted how we identify the Nahua, or other tribes in Mexico with the dimensions discussed in chapter four. In chapter 2, the author mentions how technology in post-classical times changed the how food was prepare, and materials were transported. Today, how has technology impacted how the Nahua with respects to their post-classical ways of life.  Also, to what extent, if any, has the attitude towards Nahua and other indigenous groups changed in present day society? Another consideration, if ethnicity follows a life cycle, what is the future of the Nahua?  Will the Nahua just be considered a fragment of many other groups that will just be recognized as Mexicans?

Overall, I have found the book generally interesting, another strength the book had was the depth and all the areas of investigation the book had covered. To limit the size, I had to focus on chapters and topics in chapters I deemed to be the most significant to the course, though all other chapters may have equal importance. To analyse the Ethnography, I chose to relate what I have learned on my travels, past experiences, and what I have learned in other classes to explain and explore ethnic identity of the Nahua from my understanding. And also address some questions that the topic raises in present days.

Ethnicity is a very broad term which is explored with the Nahua tribes of Mexico. The most fundamental definition of ethnicity is: characteristics by human differences that establish an identity, and is built in cultural groups and developed through life actions. To better understand ethnicity is to not just consider its definition but that ethnicity follows a life cycle. Fading, and weaker ethnic groups can easily be integrated into more larger, dominant, and economically secure ethnic tribes.  

References

Ethnic Identity in Nahua Mesoamerica: The View from Archaeology, Art History, Ethnohistory and Contemporary Ethnography by Fraces F. Berdan, John K. Chance. Alan R. Sandstorm, Barbra L. Stark, James M, Taggart, and Emily Umberger. Ethnography. Published 2007