Last night, a mariachi band played us a song from Oaxaca called "La Llorona" or the "Weeping Woman." Even though I couldn't catch all the lyrics, the beautiful and sad ballad tugged at my heart strings. In class today, I asked my teacher about the song and she explained the legend of la Llorona is very important in Mexican culture. Many songs, poems, and novels have been written around this theme.
One version of the legend goes like this: In pre-hispanic times, a mother was able to see the future and she saw only death, war and sickness, so she drowned her children to save them from tragedy. Afterwards, she went crazy and endlessly walked the streets crying for her babies. She foresaw the Spanish coming and the loss of her children symbolizes the loss of the indiginous culture.
After doing a bit of research, I found the legend is strong throughout Central America. I discovered the above recording of Joan Baez singing "La Llorona." Enjoy.
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