Book

Work and play among the Basques of southern California

University Microfilms InternationalAnn Arbor, Michigan • Published In 1979 • Pages:

By: Eagle, Sonia Jacqueline.

Abstract
This dissertation presents an ethno-historical account of the Basque community in the Los Angeles-southern California area from approximately 1850 to the 1970s. Particular attention is given to the mechanisms of ethnic identity maintenance within this community during the period of the author's field work in 1971-1978. In this document Eagle emphasizes the shift with time in occupational specialization from sheepherding to gardening, restaurant and hotel management, wheat and citrus fruit cultivation, etc. She notes that with increasing urbanization of the community and as occupations become more highly diversified, economic specialization ceases to be as important a factor as it was originally in maintaining ethnic identity (p. viii). Ethnic identity is best expressed and maintained in what the author calls 'play' forms as embodied through the activities of Basque social clubs, handball games, folk dancing, and gambling.
Subjects
Ethos
Cultural identity and pride
Pastoral activities
Dairying
Occupational specialization
Recreational facilities
culture
Basque Americans
HRAF PubDate
1997
Region
North America
Sub Region
Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1995
Field Date
1971-1978
Coverage Date
mid-nineteenth century - 1970s
Coverage Place
Los Angeles area, California, United States
Notes
by Sonia Jacqueline Eagle
UM 8015450
Includes bibliographical references (p. 220-227)
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Purdue University, 1979
LCSH
Basque Americans