Tejano Culture- How it has Evolved
It’s been acknowledged that cultures change and evolve over time. This has certainly been the case with the Tejano culture commonly found in border areas in Texas and Mexico. This culture has become so widespread that its even brought about a new genre of music, cuisine, language, and even group of people. Let’s travel back to the past to see how this culture originated and boomed.
Flavors of salty and spicy Tex-Mex food and Tejano music and dancing are only a few of the standout components of Tejano Culture. How did these cultural aspects come about and create such a popular subculture?
History
The term Tejano refers to the Hispanic residents, of Spanish speaking descent, in Texas. It has been referenced since 1833, after the Mexican War of Independence and settles began coming to the United States. Since then, it has come to encompass many cultural manifestations.
Tejanos cover a large group of people. They may be fluent in Spanish, or have little understanding of the language. An individual who moves to Texas from Mexico, may be considered Tejano by his or her family, those who are raised in Texas by Mexican parents may be considered Tejano, and those living in Texas with any Hispanic ancestry by also be considered Tejano.
As younger generations emerge, this mixing of the two cultures has become more and more prevalent.
Tex-Mex Cuisine
Tex-Mex, as the name implies has been used to describe anything that combines Texan and Mexican traits, but it is most commonly known as a cuisine.
Sarae Bernal, a local teacher, was born in the United States. She spent the first three years of her life in Mexico before moving back to Harlingen, Tx. With her parents, where she helped out at their family own Tex-Mex restaurant.
She says that the Bernal’s Mexican Restaurant served a combination of traditional Mexican plates and Tex-Mex platters.
Signature Tex-Mex appetizer: Tortilla chips with a variety of salsas.
“I was first generation American, so my parents served authentic Mexican food and some Tex-Mex dishes that appealed to the customers that we had.” Sara says.
Tex-Mex foods adapt Mexican cuisine to American tastes. Differences include the use of cumin, flour tortillas, and yellow cheese in dishes. Many plates take an authentic Mexican plate and put an American spin on it by including ingredients that are common area and excluding those that harder to come by.
“We used very little cumin and we didn’t heavily rely on anything canned or boxed. We focused a lot on flavor of the sauces that were made from scratch, so in that way we stuck to authentic Mexican food traditions We made foods like barbacoa in ground which was rare for Tex-Mex, but our way of cooking could be considered Tex-Mex style. We made our flower tortillas from scratch, they were very popular, but they are definitely part of the Tex-Mex food culture. Flour tortillas are not at all common in authentic Mexican restaurants. They usually rely on corn tortillas and make them fresh. We bought our corn tortillas.” Sarae says.
Tex-Mex plates were some of the most sold at the restaurant.
Snapshot of a portion of the menu at a Tex-Mex restaurant featuring both, traditional dishes such as Medio Pollo en Mole as well as Tex-Mex dishes such as the Enchiladas Tex-Mex (Con Fajita)
“Popular dishes were Carne Guisada, which is not a dish from Mexico, it originated in the Rio Grande Valley. We also sold five different types of Enchiladas. The most popular enchiladas were the Americanas which were, as the name implies- Americanized. The least popular were the enchiladas Mexicanas which came with queso fresco and followed more of an authentic Mexican recipe.”
The Bernal’s Mexican Restaurant was open for eighteen years at two different locations. Throughout time, Sarae says that she saw about an equal amount of demand for Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican plates depending on the time of year and clientel.
“Most of our customers spoke Spanish, if not as a main language they at least understood it. We also had some Winter Texans as customers. I think that towards the end of our restaurant, we were selling more authentic Mexican food than Tex-Mex. When we first opened Tex-Mex dishes were all the rage: Nachos, Refried beans, chili con carne. But as time progressed and more and more Mexican national came over, I saw an increase in orders of authentic dishes like Molé and carne de res.”
Breakfast tacos are also a big part of Tex-Mex cuisine. At Bernal’s Mexican Restaurant, breakfast was served all day.
“The most popular breakfast dish was chilaquiles. Chilaquiles are a common breakfast dish in Mexico, but the way they prepare it is different than how we prepare it here. Traditional chilaquiles consists of tortilla chips and chicken with salsa. Our version has the same tortilla chips and salsa base, but we use eggs instead of chicken because eggs follow more of a traditional American breakfast whereas chicken for breakfast is not as common.”
If you walk into any Mexican restaurant, you are almost guaranteed to see lemonade on the drink menu. Freshly squeezed lemonade as well as other Aguas Frescas such as pineapple, melon, watermelon, and hibiscus water are common in authentic Mexican cuisine. Most Tex-Mex restaurants will serve Lemonade, as the Bernal’s Mexican restaurant did, but there is less of an emphasis on other fresh water drinks.
Traditional Mexican Mural at a local Tex-Mex restaurant in the Rio Grande Valley
“Our restaurant had a traditional Mexican feel from the décor and architecture. We had a water fountain like they usually have in Mexican Haciendas. We even hired a woman from Mexico to come and paint us a traditional mural on the wall.”
The Bernal’s Mexican restaurant was considered Tex-Mex, but gave their customers a feel for traditional Mexican cuisine. This blend is common in the Rio Grande Valley and other border areas of Texas and Mexico.
Tejano Music
A beloved aspect of Tejano culture is music and dancing.
Tejano music is rooted in the 19th century but rose to popularity in the 20th century after impactful artists such as Selena, made their debut in the genre. Born in Texas, Tejano music is influenced by many Latin music genres such as norteño, corrido, mariachi, and Mexican cumbias as well as European styles such as polkas and waltzes that were introduced by the European settlers in the 19th century.
One of the standout features of Tejano music is the use of the accordion. In recent years, this instrument has become the centerpiece in identifying Tejano music. Today individuals such as La Mafia, Ram Herrera, La Sombra, Oscar Estrada, and La Fiebre are considered some of the top Tejano artists.
Sarae Bernal’s sister, Esmeralda Flores says “The greatest hits in Tejano music were in the 80s and 90s, but there is still a hunger for Tejano Music of the past.”
It’s considered a classic for many of the locals that have migrated from Mexico or grown up as first, second, or third generation American.
Family and friends dancing together at a casual weekend gathering. The occasion was said to be “Just for fun. We’re always looking for excuses to get together and dance, but this time we thought we really don’t need an excuse, we can just get together to fun of it.” — Maribel De Leon
“As soon as I hear that accordion, I get my dancing shoes ready.” Esmeralda says. “It’s music that brings the family together.”
Often played at weddings, family reunions, and other happy occasions, Tejano is a well-loved genre in the Rio Grande Valley. Dancing Tejano is a beautiful experience. Every movement represents the rich history of Tejano musical and dancing styles, such as Danzon, Mambo, Bolero, Polka, Waltz, Conjunto, and Ranchera.
Friends dancing Tejano together at a formal graduation party.
The musicality of Tejano is powerful because it expresses everything that is unique to the culture that emerged among the Hispanic-American people in Texas.
As time goes on, other cultural rhythms are making their mark on Tejano music, like cumbia from South America, Western Swing, and American Rock n’ Roll, but the heart and soul of the genre remains in the traditional folk realm.
The Tejano culture that is prevent in Texas has grown in various cultural aspects throughout the time. We’ll just have to wait and see what’s instore for the Tejano population in the future.
As Jonny Canales, Tejano singer and show host, always says, “You got it, take it away!”