Ninez

More than forty verses, games and stories of Spanish childhood folklore have been collected by the author from research based largely on archival materials gathered by WPA writers in the 1930s and in current interviews. A number of the pieces can be traced directly to Spain and were brought to America by early explorers and settlers. They serve as a link between the old and new worlds-a way to retain cultural and historical memory and transmit it to succeeding generations. Many interesting variations have occurred over the centuries, always the way with true folklore, as children have played the games and the stories have been told and retold. Literal translations, rules for playing the games and music for some of them are included. "Books of the Southwest" called this book "...a delightful little manual for persons who want to keep a culture alive with joyous song and gentle mystery." * * * * The author, a native of New Mexico, was raised by homesteader grandparents who came to the territory soon after 1900. She early developed an appreciation for the history and folklore of the American Southwest and her collection of legends and lore began with the "cowboy/frontiersman" culture of Quay County where she grew up. She is also the author of "Aguinaldos, Christmas Customs, Music and Foods of the Spanish-speaking Countries of the Americas" from Sunstone Press.