Interviewer
Myrna Parra-Mantilla
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Tomás Zapata Castañeda was born in Ejido el Faro, Chihuahua, México in 1937; although he did help his father in the fields, he also went to school; in 1956, he was hired as a bracero at the age on nineteen; he worked as a bracero in Texas, Montana, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Summary of Interview
Mr. Zapata was hired as a bracero in 1956; his first work contract took him to New Mexico, where due to the rain, he was unable to work; in the various places he went, he worked in the cotton and beet fields; he recalls that the braceros would use signs to communicate with the ranchers; in Colorado, he was able to earn $12.00 per acre that he worked; he also recalls that during the month of December, work contracts were given for three months at a time, whereas during the month of May, work contracts were given for forty-five days at a time.
Date of Interview
5-12-2003
Length of Interview
30 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 990
Transcript Number
No. 990
Length of Transcript
29 pages
Interview Number
No. 990
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Tomás Zapata Castañeda by Myrna Parra-Mantilla, 2003, "Interview no. 990," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.