FEATURE ARTICLE: Fiesta Stories
By Education Coordinator Richard Rodriguez

Barona Tribal member Steve Banegas (right) with Vice Chairman Beaver Curo and Museum intern Paul Jeffrey planting the posts that will support the ramadas at the Gathering grounds. Photo by Cheryl Hinton.

Growing up as a Southern California Tribal member, I would often hear people talk about the Fiestas that happened sometime in the late 60’s and 70’s. It seems like every Indian over the age of 45 has at least a few memories linked to the Fiesta. Quite a few reservations would take their turn playing host and would invite people from all over to come to their event. My family used to tell me about the traditional songs and dances, the rock bands, and about people who have been teased and labeled as “Fiesta babies” (you can figure that one out). I have never experienced a Fiesta the way my grandfather, father, aunts, and uncles have, and I doubt I ever will.

Today, when most people think of Indian gatherings, the powwow always comes to mind. Powwows have become a place for many people to come and share a beautifully rich culture, and a number of reservations in San Diego County hold them. An important thing to know about the powwow, however, is that it is not a representation of traditional Southern California culture. At a powwow, you will see and hear dances and songs that originated from the Plains Indians, which include dances such as fancy shawl and jingle dress. You will also see groups of men singing and playing around a large drum.

In contrast, today there are a number of reservations still holding their Southern California traditional gatherings. If you go to a traditional gathering at a San Diego County reservation, you will see ramadas that echo back decades ago to the Fiestas. You will see games such as tug o’ war, three legged races, and the unforgettably sticky watermelon eating contest. Men sing their hearts out with ahlymaa (gourd rattles) while women dance in the dirt, wearing mission style dresses, causing clouds of dust to hover above their feet.

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Barona Reservation. Among our celebrations we held the first traditional gathering that this reservation has held within the past few decades. I was heavily involved with the planning of this event and I worked with a number of Tribal members. The gathering was a great success and Barona played host to about 600 people, most from neighboring tribes. Today’s traditional gatherings have evolved somewhat from the Fiestas. Both gatherings and Fiestas were designed to bring people together for food, culture, and fun. The titles may be different, but we still continue to celebrate our way.

Celebrating our History and Traditions: Photos from the traditional Gathering
The photos that we are sharing here highlight only a few of the events of the Gathering weekend.
©2007 Photos by Alexandra Harris except where noted.