The Importance Of Dichos In Mexican Culture

As a Mexican American, I have learned many of the traditions and customs of the Mexican culture. One tradition, I have learned as a member of the Mexican community is called a dicho. Dichos or “sayings” as I like to define the term, is a Spanish term used to describe a proverb. A proverb is a short metaphorical statement that a culture constantly uses. (Sims 2005:129) Proverbs are a part of the performance aspect of folklore because people tell these proverbs every day especially in conversations. (Sims 2005:129) People use these proverbs in many ways. Certain types of proverbs allow us to give advice on how to handle with certain situations throughout our lives. (Sims 2005:129) Other types of proverbs may warn us about the dangers of the world. Every culture has their own set of proverbs which allows them to enforce their traditional ideas and values to their community members. (Sims 2005:131) These proverbs are the verbal expressions of the culture’s “common knowledge” and only the members of that culture will understand them. (Sims 2005:131) In this collection project, I will discuss and …show more content…
I grew up in the Mexican American community in Los Angeles, California for most of my life. I still feel like an outsider within the Mexican community because I was not born or raised in Mexico. I consider myself as a Mexican American because I can relate to several traditions and customs associated with the Mexican culture especially with dichos. For this collection project, I want to know about the importance of dichos within the Mexican culture. What are the different parts of these dichos? What do they mean? Why do people believe in them? How do these dichos influence our decision making? How will people react when someone tells them a dicho? These are the questions I would like to be answered by the end of this collection