Remembering the past requires the knowledge of an area from which the existence of a culture sprung and set forth its roots. This past and the history of the Mexican-American culture were greatly influenced by a powerful and vital entity known as El Rio/Rio Bravo. This river has given to its past and present inhabitants a cultural life expressed to others through their history of entertainment, environmental development and development of industry.
The cultural identities of the Basin people were expressed through their forms of both religious and non-religious entertainment and celebrations. Many of the Basin people were religious in that they performed dances to honor the Virgen de Guadalupe and others danced for the Feast of San Lorenzo. These dances were annual celebrations in which people praised and worshiped the lives of both of these religious people. These dances occur today in parts of Mexico and New Mexico with volunteers dancing as the matachines who recall what happened more than three centuries ago. This form of dance was used and is used today for worship and healing and also as signs of thanks for gifts they have received. Other forms of dancing involved the emergence of the ‘dance hall’. Conjunto music w
Although the earliest Basin people no longer live today, the beliefs and values of those who live along El Rio remain tied to the cultures and heritages that were once dominant in the Basin region. The ‘river of life’ has been regarded as an extensive source of memories that will not fade as the culture and heritage of the Basin people remains in the hearts of their many descedents. The loss of traditions has occurred as more and more people are becoming ‘Americanized’ but the descendents of the Basin people remain steadfast in keeping those same traditions alive amongst their families.
The Basin people took full advantage of the resources of their lands and at the same time they gained knowledge and advancements in the technology they already had of which they Ranching and shrimping emerged as two of the bigger industries surrounding El Rio. Much of the land was used for both herding and farming of cattle and sheep. Ranching on the lands was operated by both small families and larger corporately owned businesses. From ranching came the vaqueros who took roping and riding cattle and made it a tradition that remains still today in many families. The access that El Rio provided to the Gulf of
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