Posted by Fernando Villalona on September 22, 1999 at 02:28:05:
In Reply to: I hated Los Mayimbes! posted by Tom Folkman on February 13, 1999 at 17:46:39:
Hi, my name is Fernando. I served in the West mission sometime in this decade: La Fe, San Cristobal, Azua--lots of places. I am currently working on a masters in Cultural Anthropology. My dissertation deals with the sociological and cultural aspects of the Mormon mission experience--mission social structure, mission politics, mission legends--the "leaders," the "tigres," the "flechas," the "chivatos," the
"tumba polvos," the "mayibes," the "pariguayos," --the whole nine yards. I also hope to publish a less scholarly version of my research in a book aimed at a more general audience. The book will have one
chapter on Dominican "mission culture" and other chapters dealing with legends and cultural aspects of other aspects missions (just finished the Italy chapter!--you guys think strange things go on in DR--whew!).
I would love to be in contact with "Mayimbes" and "Tigres"--old school,new school, whatever. I would appreciate any suggestions about colorful
characters from your mission who might add flavor to what I'm talking about. I am especially interested in RM's who have stayed in contact with DR culture since they have returned--either by returning to the DR
to travel, study, work, etc.; marrying a Dominican woman, etc. The more you really know, the more I would like to talk to you, possibly interview you. I am looking for RM's--elders and sisters--who can put
the mission experience into some kind of historical or social perspective: Can you compare the mission as it is now to how it was? Can you compare one DR mission to another? Can you compare the DR now to how it used be? Can you compare the way you and your mission comps
and friends are now to the way you were back then?
If you have any interesting [true] tales to tell or can suggest someone who might, please send me a message. Any information you give me will be treated as if it were confidential and used only for the purpose of
anthropological research. It is not necessary to give me any actual names (although this is also ok) because all the names will be changed
to pseudonyms.
Thank you for you interest.
Pa' 'lante!,
Fernando