Cultural Notes
Un paseo por el cementerio de Teacapán – short version
A Cemetery Walk In Teacapán
- Remember, expect this to be challenging.
- First, read the English version.
- Next, read the Spanish version.
- Click the control to hear the audio.
- Listen several times, following along on the transcript.
- Finally, listen without looking at the transcript.
- See how many words and phrases you can pick out.
- Then try the long version.
Short Version
A Cemetery Walk In Teacapán
Mexican poet, writer, and diplomat Octavio Paz has observed that the Mexican is on familiar terms with death, noting that he “…chases after it, mocks it, courts it . . . it is his favorite plaything and his most lasting love.” This sentiment seems accurate as one meanders through the cemetery in the poor fishing village of Teacapán. With few resources, the families of this town have managed to construct many elaborate family mausoleums that take years to finish. But another perspective emerges after touring the cemetery. These lavish monuments really memorialize the strength of the family in Mexico, where every member is important, and whose loss is deeply felt on many levels.
Un paseo por el cementerio de Teacapán
El poeta, escritor y diplomático mexicano Octavio Paz observó que el mexicano tiene una relación especial con la muerte, indicando que “la persigue, se burla de ella, la corteja, la abraza, duerme con ella; es su juego favorito y su amor más duradero”. Tal sentimiento parece preciso cuando se recorre el cementerio de la pobre aldea pesquera de Teacapán. Con pocos recursos, las familias del pueblo se las arreglan para construir una multitud de complejos mausoleos familiares que toman años en completar. Sin embargo, surge otra perspectiva al terminar de recorrer el cementerio. Los lujosos mausoleos son en realidad monumentos a la fuerza de la familia. En México cada uno de sus miembros es importante, y la pérdida de cualquiera de ellos es profundamente llorada a muchos niveles.
