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A Spanish-American fiesta in Taos, New Mexico. Photograph by Russell Lee, July, 1940. View full size.
Evidently 'La munaquita' isn't to happy with the celebration. Perhaps her friends can convince her to relax and enjoy.
Many Basque sheepherders worked and lived in the American Southwest around this time. There are still Basque names carved into the white bark of aspen trees on the San Francisco peaks in Northern Arizona and I've had some delicious rabbit in Basque restaurants in Reno. They were referred to as "Spanish" to differentiate them from Mexican immigrants. These folks in the photo may indeed be descendents of Spanish colonials in New Mexico - or maybe Basque sheepherders.
More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_diaspora
The expression on the face of the girl in the plaid (?) skirt is worth the all the rest. Can't decide if she's empathising or disgusted.
Families in New Mexico that can trace their ancestry back to the days of the Spanish Empire are very particular about being identified as Spanish-American.
Spanish-American is the term used by photographer Russell Lee.
Isn't this a Mexican-American fiesta, not Spanish-American?
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