Professor leads the way in renewing a Chicano Christmas tradition.

It started out as a lesson for a Mexican-American studies class at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Prof. Miguel Dominguez wanted his students to experience Mexican culture rather than read about it in a textbook. At the same time, he wanted to establish a direct link between the university and the nearby historic Rancho Dominguez.

So, three years ago, Dominguez (no relation to the founders of the rancho) and a handful of students asked the ranch for permission to stage a posada , the traditional Mexican re-enactment of Joseph and Mary’s search for room at an inn. It has become an annual event and has taken on the trappings of a broader-reaching Mexican folk festival.

Although the Mexican tradition, called Las Posadas, involves several processions that take place on a series of nights, the Rancho Dominguez celebration is a one-day event.

On Sunday, Dominguez’s students will again act out the Nativity story at the ranch, and the festival will include dancing, food and pinatas. Tours will be given of the Dominguez Adobe, decorated with 19th-Century Christmas artifacts. There will also be a performance by the Ballet Cultural de Cal State Dominguez Hills.

“Students learn faster if they actually go through what it is to become part of a culture,” Dominguez said. “It is not adequately learned about in textbooks.”

Dominguez said that although the custom has its roots in Old California and Mexico, until recently many Chicanos were unfamiliar with the tradition. Its resurgence, Dominguez said, reflects the growing presence of Latino immigrants.

“Las Posadas is an old Mexican custom and was celebrated in Old California long before it became part of the United States,” Dominguez said. “It is only fitting that a posada be held at the Dominguez Adobe--the site of the state’s first Spanish land grant.”

He encourages participants on Sunday to wear traditional Mexican dress, such as ponchos for men and blusas tipicas for women.

Sandra Ponce, a political science junior minoring in Mexican-American studies, said the celebration brings back a lot of memories.

“It’s kind of a nostalgic tie,” she said. “I attended (a posada) one time when I was in Mexico. (This is) basically a smaller version of what goes on in Mexico.”

Ponce said the festival is a source of pride among students, who have been preparing for the event since the semester began in September.

“It keeps us in touch with our culture,” Ponce said.

About 50 students have been working on colorful decorations, sprucing up the ranch and preparing food. Traditional Mexican tamales and pan dulce , a sweet bread, will be offered for sale.

In Mexico, the posadas generally take place in homes from Dec. 16 to Christmas Eve.

A typical posada consists of a small procession that winds up at a different house each night. Sometimes, large figures of Mary and Joseph are carried at the head of the procession. At others, children act out the parts of Mary and Joseph, angels and shepherds.

Upon arrival at a designated house, the people in the procession ask for lodging from others in the house. What takes place is a ceremony in song during which the people outside and the innkeepers inside banter back and forth until the latter are persuaded to allow the procession to enter.

Said Dominguez: “Then the party starts.”