Next year will be the centenary of Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, but there is plenty to enjoy during this summer’s Fiesta offerings that run from August 2-6 in locations throughout Santa Barbara. Of course, kudos should be given Spanish explorers Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and Sebastián Vizcaino who sailed at different times up the west coast from San Diego Bay to the Santa Barbara Channel and beyond in search of discovery and encounters with the areas original inhabitants – the indigenous Chumash. Old Spanish Days features a variety of events including music and dance, arts and crafts and cuisine from vendors that reflect the diversified cultural and historical heritage of the Spanish, Mexican Alta California and Native American connection.
In acknowledging contributions of the Chumash community, Barbareño Tribal Elder Ernestine De Soto is this year’s Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal, whose Chumash ancestry dates back thousands of years to the village of Syuxtun that was located at Cabrillo Boulevard near the harbor. On August 4, the Historical Parade will traverse the symbolic route that is quintessential to the Chumash and its namesake explorer and include participants like De Soto with family members in a horse-drawn carriage, Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West and many equestrians. Apropos of this, a replica of Cabrillo’s galleon the San Salvador which he used to navigate the area in 1542, will be moored at the harbor during the Fiesta, with free tours available.
Old Spanish Days Board of Directors and numerous volunteers work tirelessly to make the event a cherished happening, and interestingly some members are descendants of high-profile Spanish colonial period families and respected historians such as Board President David Bolton, who is also the Executive Director of California Missions Foundation and was knighted by Spain’s King Felipe VI as Commander of the Royal Order of Isabela la Católica. His perspective on the historical importance of the Chumash community in the central part of California provides a vital and sometimes overlooked glimpse into the Golden State’s roots then and now – as represented by the Old Spanish Days Fiesta. “From Malibu to San Luis Obispo, this was Chumash territory when the Spanish arrived. The Chumash were one of the most advanced groups of native Californians and were known for their ocean navigation expertise. Both with tule weed boats in our rivers and larger tomols to cross the channel, the Chumash were skilled,” says Bolton.
Bolton comments that the Chumash were considered among four seafaring native groups from Alaska to Chile that were capable of crossings to the Channel Islands. But their contributions also extend to local culture and traditions. “Their sacrifices and extremely hard work built the California Missions which today are looked at for their architectural grandeur as well as the multitude of stories that their mere existence created. We honor the Chumash who should be recognized for their tremendous contributions to the community of Santa Barbara and our Fiesta.”
In many ways, the performing arts seem to mirror and even influence the cultural nuances of a community, country and its people, as was the case in early California. A Fiesta highlight will feature two events, Las Noches de Ronda and Flor y Canto, where performers share songs and dances of Mexico, Spain and California’s rancho period, played on replica instruments that evoke a bygone lifestyle. Bolton observes that during Alta California’s Spanish colonial period, music had a prominent role which became more substantial in the rancho period that followed Mexico’s independence from Spain. “During the Spanish colonial period, Franciscan Friars taught Spanish music to the native community that had been brought to the Missions.”
He adds that music and songs were an important part of daily mass held at Mission churches. “Throughout the Americas, Spain built Missions, and in many areas the Fathers allowed the native communities to incorporate their sacred elements into dance and also their religious processions. In Sinaloa, Mexico where many of Alta California’s Spanish settlers began their families, the missionaries allowed the native communities to incorporate the deer, a sacred animal among local native communities. The deer head is prominent in the Holy Week religious processions reenacting the final days of Jesus and also incorporated into the folklórico dance of the Sinaloa region.”
Bolton points out that the folklórico dance, which will be performed at Old Spanish Days events is prevalent throughout Mexico, other areas of the Americas and changes from region to region. “Folklórico dance was never established in Alta California. Here, early California dance was prevalent throughout the rancho period and it quickly took a back step once the United States gained control of the western states, including California.” Performances of flamenco will also be included in the Fiesta’s performing arts menu and Bolton explains, “Then, in the early 20th century, flamenco dance from southern Spain - a gypsy originated dance later enhanced with Arabic instruments and Jewish lyrics - was introduced as part of new festivals established to recognize Spain’s cultural presence in California.”
Old Spanish Days is more than an extravaganza. It gives visitors the opportunity to celebrate and experience aspects of California’s storied cultural and historical past that continue to inspire and influence the present.