Jay
Statement by Mary
Jay
Juanita
“Jay” Uberuaga Hormaechea
b. 1908,
Boise, Idaho
d. 1997,
Richmond, CA
Mary Donato
“Show us!
Show us how to dance, then!” This was the challenge Basque sheepherders
presented to Jay Hormaechea when, in 1936, she criticized their not-quite-traditional
dancing styles at the Sheepherders’ Ball. She loved to dance, but she didn’t
like the way the men were imposing Western American elements on the traditional
Basque dances. She was concerned that Basque customs, especially the dances,
would be lost in the New World. Although she didn’t take up their challenge
right away, in 1948 she began teaching Basque-American children the jotas and
porrusaldas she knew and loved so well. These classes laid the groundwork for
establishing Boise’s Oinkari Basque Dancers in 1960. Children today learn
Basque dancing at the Basque Center at 601 Grove Street, just as they did in
1949.
Jay had
three goals in mind: to preserve the traditions of the Old Country by passing
on the dances to the younger generation, to bring Basques closer together, and
to maintain a Basque identity while fully participating in American life. Her
success in achieving these goals is evident in the vibrant and visible Basque
culture that we enjoy today, not just in Boise, but nationwide.
I was attracted
to Jay because of her indomitable spirit and strong will. She overcame economic
and social obstacles and made enormous contributions to her community. She was
a hard worker but she also loved to relax and have a good time. She was
fiercely proud of being “American-Basque”, with emphasis on being an “American”
first, but at the same time she recognized the importance of sustaining the
Basque heritage. My print is based on a 2006 photograph of the Oinkari Basque
Dancers, who kindly granted permission for its use.
No comments:
Post a Comment