Regional Goes Global, Part 3: How a magical Mexican town keeps banda tradition alive
Dec 15, 2023
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Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras visit Mocorito, Mexico, a magical town deeply connected to the banda sinaloense genre. They explore the efforts to preserve this musical tradition, the influence of drug cartels on Mexican society, and the passion and pride that runs deep in the musical heritage of Sinaloa.
Banda Cinaloense originates from military bands and has remained a strong musical tradition in the town of Moquorito, providing a cultural connection to Mexico in difficult times.
Mexican-American kids are using Musica Mexicana to connect with their Mexican heritage and shape their identities.
Deep dives
The Influence of Mexican-American Kids on the Explosion of Mexican Music
Mexican-American kids are streaming, creating, and connecting through Musica Mexicana, impacting their identities and connecting with each other and their Mexican heritage.
The Historical Development of Banda Cinaloense and Its Connection to Moquorito
Banda Cinaloense originated in the mid-19th century, evolving from military bands. Moquorito, a small town in the Mexican state of Cinaloa, is the hometown of iconic Banda Los Tigres de Norte and remains a breeding ground for talented musicians and a stronghold of the Banda tradition.
Preserving the Musical Heritage of Moquorito Amidst Narco Culture
Moquorito, like many areas in Cinaloa, faces the pervasive influence of drug cartels. Meanwhile, the town works to preserve its musical heritage, which has become a source of pride for its citizens, providing a cultural buffer and connection to Mexico in difficult times.
You know all those tubas and brass instruments you hear behind your favorite regional Mexican hits? That's banda sinaloense and this week Alt.Latino wraps up the Regional Goes Global series with a visit to Sinaloa, Mexico, the birthplace of the genre.
Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras visit the picturesque town Mocorito, a pueblo magico where tradition and pride in the musical heritage runs deep. That's the case even among members of the drug cartels, which are responsible for some of the country's societal ills. It's a complex story as passionate and heartfelt as the music that stretches from the hills of Sinaloa to this side of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with production support from Lilly Quiroz, Suraya Mohamed, Josephine Nyounai and Natalia Fidelholtz. The editor for this episode is Jacob Ganz, and our project manager is Grace Chung. Hazel Cills is the podcast editor and digital editor for Alt.Latino. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.