Interviewer
Danna Herrera
Project
El Paso Folklore (English 3374)
Summary of Interview
Belia Salinas Vasquez, born in Praxedis G. Guerrero, now lives in Fabens, Texas, at 81, and has been weaving for many years. She explains how, from a young age, she was taught to “Tejer” and has never stopped since. She describes her childhood as happy and recalls helping her mother at the store they owned. While having a store might suggest a calm, normal childhood, Belia remembers how she and her family lived very differently from the children around them, as she and her siblings always helped her mother at the store. She points out that she even worked on Sundays and reflects on her memories of those days, noting that she met her late husband at the store. Belia describes her childhood and youth as healthy and wholesome, with homegrown foods, children listening more to their parents than today’s kids do, and streets safe for playing anytime. Playing with neighborhood kids, she recalls rushing through chores to go outside. Her earliest memories of tejidos involve her mother sewing clothing for herself and her siblings, and when she started elementary school, she learned weaving techniques in homemaking class. “Punto de Cruz” is a technique she often uses, weaving with two needles and following a (x) pattern to create the desired design. Although she created tejidos early on, Belia also remembers excelling at basketball and how her coaches would ask her mom to let her play against other teams. Her childhood was happy and clean, filled with artistic and physical pursuits. As a young girl, she used her weaving skills to make dresses for her dolls and continued practicing. Moving to the United States brought major changes as she adapted to new customs, but she kept weaving over the years. Now, as an older woman, Belia weaves with a group of women from her church. She makes tejidos for her children, grandchildren, and most importantly, for herself, who commemorates them by wearing them every winter. Though she believes that the emotions embedded in her tejidos might be lost on younger generations who may not appreciate them, she thinks tejidos should be showcased and never forgotten.
Date of Interview
11-9-2025
Length of Interview
26:36
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1801
Transcript Number
No. 1801
Interview Number
1801
Terms of Use
Open
Recommended Citation
Interview with Belia Salinas Vasquez by Danna Herrera, 2025, "Interview No. 1801," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Student Created