Center for Cultural Technology

Manitos Placemats - Periodista

By publishing news, poetry, fiction, letters, recipes, and essays, the periodistas, or Spanish language journalists, created a print culture that celebrated Manito cultural heritage and helped to form their unique Indo-Hispano cultural identity. This began right around the time that New Mexico was becoming a US territory in 1848 amid a major influx of Anglo settlers who distained the native culture.

For more than a century the Spanish language press was a rallying point of the resistance to forced assimilation. Before public education was instituted in the region many children were taught to read by their parents using Spanish language periodicals.

This downloadable placemat is one of a series created by the Manitos Community Memory Project in conjunction with a series of posters entitled Manitos Personas. The posters and placemats honor community members serving in traditional roles who help preserve cultural heritage and promote community cohesion.

The original idea for the placemats was to distribute them to local restaurants to help educate and inform children about their Manito heritage. When COVID-19 struck, restaurants closed and students began learning from home. The placemats were delivered to school sites where they were sent home with distributions of food and other educational materials and supplies. It turned out that adults also enjoyed the activities, so distributions were also made at several senior centers.

The idea for the placemats was inspired by Dr. Patricia Trujillo. They were produced by Project Director, Dr. Estevan Rael-Galvez and two graphic design interns from the Department of Media Arts & Technology Cultural Technology Program, Lily Padilla and Natasha Vasquez.

Manitos Community Memory Project

Estevan Rael-Galvez, Project Director

Lily Padilla, Graphic Design Intern

Natasha Vasquez, Graphic Design Intern

Image

English

Spanish

Manitos Community Memory Project

Northern New Mexico

1834-1958

Manitos Personas Placemats

placemat_periodista.pdf