Book

Esperanza: an ethnographic study of a peasant community in Puerto Rico

University of Arizona Press (50) • Published In 1977 • Pages: xii, 217

By: Buitrago Ortíz, Carlos.

Abstract
This is a study of the small rural community of Esperanza, part of the municipality of Arecibo in the northern part of Puerto Rico. Esperanza was chosen as the subject of this work since it provides an example of a mid-twentieth century traditional society, exhibiting features that have disappeared or are in the process of disappearing from other communities on the island. This study attempts to throw some light on several questions intimately related to the structure of the Puerto Rican family, such as whether or not there is one pattern or more than one pattern in the structure of the rural family, and what the relationship is between these patterns and such other factors as occupation and religion (p. 4). In addition, Buitrago Ortíz attempts to provide a background against which social change in Puerto Rico can be compared and studied. Data presented in this work relate to ecology and economy, the household, life cycle events, the kinship system, kin conflicts, marriage, religion, social stratification, and community-government relations.
Subjects
Life history materials
External migration
Tillage
Special crops
Real property
Production and supply
Social relationships and groups
Ingroup antagonisms
Arranging a marriage
Nuptials
Special unions and marriages
Household
Family relationships
Kin relationships
Artificial kin relationships
General character of religion
Religious denominations
Childbirth
Puberty and initiation
Adulthood
culture
Puerto Ricans (Island)
HRAF PubDate
2012
Region
Middle America and the Caribbean
Sub Region
Caribbean
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ;1993, 2012
Field Date
1962-1963 (p. xi)
Coverage Date
1962-1963
Coverage Place
Esperanza (Arecibo), Puerto Rico
Notes
[by] Carlos Buitrago Ortíz
LCCN
73090915
LCSH
Ethnology--Puerto Rico
La Esperanza (Arecibo, P.R.)--Social life and customs