Hola! Cómo estás?
Hello, how are you?It's been a while since the new year, but this year is the year of the ox.When I was a child, I was told that if I slept right after eating, I would turn into a cow. ”Mal del Cuche”.My Japanese-speaking friend, Mr. Julio, translated it as "Buta no Byouki."It seems to say that you get sleepy with a full stomach.
Interesting expressions that I heard in the field are also displayed in the special exhibition “Aquí está tú casa” (Your home is here) – People and Land of Oaxaca, Mexico – currently being exhibited at the Hirosaki University Museum. “Aki esta tu casa” is a phrase that many people have said to me, regardless of how long we spent together.The theme of this exhibition is "house".Focus on the places you feel like home, such as your family, the university, the market, the seaside town or the mountain village.I hope that it will be an opportunity for more people to meet the fascinating people of Oaxaca and the land where they live.
So this time, one sentence in the exhibition.I will introduce part of my life with ”La familia de Anita” (Anita's family), which is the beginning of my life in Oaxaca.
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"La familía de Anita" (Anita's family)
My life in Oaxaca began with Ana's family. "Anita" is a friendly term.In Spanish, we add ``ta'' and ``to'' after names and words to express closeness and smallness.For example, Mexico's Corona beer has "CORONITA" written on its small bottle.
Hirosaki University has an inter-university exchange agreement, and I worked at the Oaxaca State Autonomous Benito Juarez University Linguistics Department.The teacher there, Anna-sensei, came to Hirosaki once three years ago with her international student.We happened to participate in the Neputa Festival together, and after eating yakiniku, we decided to live together for half a year.Looking back on it now, I think it's great to be grateful, of course.Rather than the wonder of the encounter, I think that Anna-sensei accepted me straight away.One day, when I once again expressed my gratitude, Anna-sensei laughed, saying, "We're family, so you don't have to thank us."
"Oaxaqueño" refers to people from Oaxaca, those born in Oaxaca. "Living together, that's what Oaxaqueño is," said Anna's father.Through this exhibition, I would be happy if you could see the image and words of Oaxaqueño, who lives strongly in me.
Ana's family's house is about XNUMX minutes away by bus from "Centro", the center of Oaxaca.When the sun rises, you can hear roosters out of nowhere.You can hear dogs barking all night long.I've had hummingbirds in the aloe planted in front of my house, and a turkey escaped from my neighbor's house.What you encounter and hear in your daily life is very different from Japan.
Strike a match, heat up the boiler, take a shower and start the day.This is the common style in Oaxaca.The climate is cool at night and sunny during the day, and I often saw women going out with their hair dripping wet.Except for the car, the means of transportation are buses, taxis, or "motos." A moto is a three-wheeled vehicle designed for short-distance travel within towns and areas away from the city center.Even if you use it when you're in a hurry, sometimes you don't leave, or you make detours and detours to get on as much as possible.Taxis are shared with individuals.There are three people in the back and three people in the front including the driver, so we share the front seat.Do what you can.That's the basics.
When it comes to food, corn is the centerpiece of our diet.At breakfast time in Japan, I simply eat bread and coffee, and have a slightly late breakfast around XNUMX:XNUMX.Tortillas made from stretched corn dough are the main staple food, and there is one tortilla shop in town.There are various ways to eat it, such as grabbing a side dish, dipping it in tomato sauce, grilling it with cheese in between, and so on.Around three o'clock, I have the most substantial meal of the day, and in the evening I often drink coffee and have a light meal.
Even at Anna's house, around XNUMX o'clock at night, people called out to me, "Quieres cafe?" and "Would you like some coffee?"This coffee gathering was surprisingly new to me.When I went to talk to the landlord, would you like a cup of coffee for the time being?Even though I remember that I was invited to be with someone, I feel nostalgic that it was a good opportunity to spend time with someone.
The members around the dining table like that were often the teacher's father and mother, the teacher's sister, the teacher's boyfriend, his sister's boyfriend, and myself.Sometimes the teachers' grandfathers and grandmothers who live in remote villages also join us.When I do that, I sometimes hear the indigenous language “Zapoteco” in conversations between fathers and grandfathers.Ana and her friends grew up with Spanish so they can't speak it.Grandfathers can speak everyday Spanish.
Oaxaca has the highest percentage of indigenous language speakers in Mexico.There are currently XNUMX indigenous languages spoken and XNUMX indigenous peoples. The Zapoteco have a history dating back to BC and are one of the representative indigenous peoples who have built civilization in the Oaxaca region.However, the same "Zapoteco" language varies greatly depending on the region, and sometimes it is difficult to understand.
One form that expresses its complexity, richness, and fun is the “dance” that is essential to the lives of the people of Oaxaca. I've been asked, "If you don't dance at a party, what do you do?" I actually do salsa and various other dances, but the standard dance medley at parties includes "folk dances from each region."
Even after having a party at home, it's time to dance naturally.Among them, you can enjoy the village dance of fathers who go around with their arms folded, as well as dances from various places with names such as "Pineapple Flower" and "Puma Dance".When Hirosaki University students come, and when my family comes, I feel that through this "dancing", I can get closer to the people of Oaxaca and take a step further into Oaxaca.
By the way, Anna's boyfriend Moi doesn't like dancing.People like that are common.
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<In addition to the exhibition>
In fact, Moi can also perform the high-speed steps called "Zapateo", which are used in local dances on the beach.It feels like it's only after everyone's pestering me that I can finally "step on it", but even if I don't like it, I can see how Oaxaca's "dancing" culture has permeated.
When I look closely, I think, "Oh, I see..." is the sight of a person holding a baby taking rhythm to the music playing.I'm convinced that the rhythm that permeates like this is connected to the dance of the old men and women who are bitterly attractive in the night plaza.
I often see people who are not good at the more popular local dances dancing K-POP dances in school cafeterias and churches.I would like to create an atmosphere in Japan where people can proudly enjoy each dance.
When I think back to the coffee party I mentioned earlier, I can't help but think that it's a good culture and a good relationship.
However, after returning to Japan, I read a book that said, "Relationships are created by accumulating small actions."Come to think of it, the people of Oaxaca aren't originally close friends, but they invite and invite each other every day, eat together, spend time together, and continue to build close relationships.That's why I want to create relationships and atmospheres through the accumulation of my actions.
Above all, take care of your health and watch out for falling snow and icicles.