Culture and Customs of El SalvadorCulture and Customs of El Salvador
El Salvador, the smallest Hispanic country in the Western Hemisphere, has had a lion's share of international attention with its civil war of the 1980s. Culture and Customs of El Salvador is the best source for an authoritative, intriguing narrative overview of a country with an embattled history, from wars to devastating earthquakes. Students and general readers will find a sympathetic portrayal of the land, history, people, economy, religion, education, traditional culture and popular entertainment, literature, media, and the arts.
El Salvador has been marginalized in Latin America and is still little-known outside of this region. Culture and Customs of El Salvador emphasizes the mixture of indigenous and Spanish heritage that colors the society. Boland brings special insight to the essential topics, from history to the arts. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos enhance the text. As an up-to-date survey, the book brims with optimism for a better future with social, economic, and environmental reforms. This volume is crucial to understanding Salvadorans today and also the large numbers of Salvadoran immigrants who now live in the United States.
The world has historically viewed El Salvador as the typical banana republic: small, poor, and corrupt. Short on sandy beaches, it drew few tourists, and hence, little outside attention until the late 1970s, when a violent civil war turned the country into a cold war battlefield. Since peace in 1992, it has tried to move forward, and while poverty, crime and unemployment are still grave problems, this book argues that the future looks bright. This in-depth examination of El Salvador today includes chapters on the economy, religions, education, culture, popular entertainment, literature, media and the visual and performing arts of this country, struggling to come in its own. Contains a short b&w photo essay. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
A stellar introduction to El Salvador--its history, people, economy, religion, education, traditional culture and popular entertainment, literature, media, and the arts.
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- Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 2001.
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