In the summer of 1931, folklorist Espinosa traveled throughout northern New Mexico asking Spanish-speaking residents for tales of olden times. These tales are available once again, in the original Spanish and now for the first time in English translation.

These twenty-five New Mexico legends and folktales, in English and regional Spanish, relate to the supernatural and deliver the truths and moral messages of centuries-old folktales told around the world.

Intriguing collection of authentic stories preserves a colorful part of the Mexican heritage. Tales center around Legends of the Devil, The strange Doings of the Saints, and The Mysteries of Human Life.

As part of the Works Progress Administration during the Depression, two women interviewers, Lou Sage Batchen and Annette Hesch Thorp, gathered womens stories or cuentosfrom many native ancianas to glean vivid details of a way of life now long disappeared.

Publisher Description

Originally published under title: Dictionary of Chicano folklore. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, c2000.