Tehuantepec, Mexico, 1943

[Music] Mexico City may have taught you that Mexico and covered with cactus but if you still haven't learned this fact you'd better travel South to the ismos of T the state of Waka is also Mexico but what a different one this is the Tierra Cente the tropics more like a South Sea Island than any you ever dreamed of seen a land of sugar cane and golden pineapples wild orchids and parrots lazy oxen and cool fetched and tile h [Music] the sun is warm so animals and people are inclined to take things easy only the vegetation is violent look at this flame tree tanek has nearly five times more women than men so this Shy Boy is about to be captured and doesn't seem to mind it at [Music] all these women are really amazing and lovely creatures they are taller than most Mexican women and have all carried burdens on their heads so long that it has straightened their backs and given them a free Regal Carriage which should be envied by the women of the state who think a 2 O hat is [Music] heavy if you notice the scarcity of men here in the market it is because women in the United States might also Envy the tanas the custom of sending their men into the fields to do all the hard work while they reserve for themselves the sole right to all commercial Enterprise and naturally the fine amount of Gossip which accompanies any buying and [Music] selling the tanas are also amazing because near nearly all of them are beautiful what a list of Virtues shrewd and capable business women with a positive genius for adorning themselves graceful and beautiful and numerous then add to all this the virtues of skills and Industry well it's hard to believe but it's true everyday clothes and tanti Tech can certainly not be called drabs but their fiesta costumes are especially brilliant as a fashion note these skirts are built like Melee and burmes song a quick twist and tuck in at the top and that waste of fair is called an EP in case you're thinking of running one up some afternoon just ask any department store for the pattern the tanas has still another odd custom probably inherited VI a Spain from moish ancestors they are greatly addicted to heavy gold jewelry usually in the form of ornamented coins held in place by filigree work they save every penny gained in commercial Enterprise until a gold Buble or small gold coin can be purchased then a Brisk trade commences and the coins are traded bought and sold until a fine large piece can be obtained if the owner is finally satisfied with the size of the coin she has it set like a jewel and guards it from then on this 1880 American gold piece is probably the Envy of the whole neighborhood [Music] [Music] there is a story about probably Tru about a century ago a European ship founded on the coast of tantek and in the cargo was a shipment of very expensive baby clothes not imagining such rich and frilly garments could be anything but headdresses the tanas put them on and have worn them as such ever since [Music] weddings are exciting to the people of tanek for a number of reasons first because it's a wedding second because it means that some woman has been lucky enough to find an eligible man and still more important the man has probably come from some neighboring state to find his bride and that is very flattering [Music] and of course after a wedding there's always a reception the marimba is native to this lovely place also and the attractive dance lasanda is usually inspired by it but the weddings are serious so today the dancing is more [Music] formal once a year on a date determined by the condition of the crop the casting of the fruit takes place for this Fiesta green things and flowers are fastened upon anything that will support [Music] them the most colorful garments are carefully taken out wardrobe each pleat and what you call it is carefully arranged and pressed every piece of jewelry is put on then the lovely tijuas go out into the country to find the most perfect blossoms and the most beautiful fruit [Music] the longest earrings and the heaviest jewelry definitely on display everyone starts for the Central Plaza [Music] the whole town is attracted but who has ever failed to be attracted by parades in beautiful girls who will toss fruit to you from the B this part of the fruit Fiesta has always been a mystery to people who do not believe in santaa and who are inclined to sniff at ceremony and ritual why asks the synic should the inhabitants of tanek Scramble for fruit thrown from B the markets are full of it to be had for pennies and the whole country Rich promise yourself to come back to quanti as soon as you