My object is a Molcajete, [Mol-Ka-Hete] It is a cooking utensil. It is used for making salsas for example: Guacamole and to grind spices and crush them. You can also crush rice, and make a paste. It comes from Mexico, from the ancient civilization of the Aztecs. I chose this object because it shows an important story behind it for me. The Molcajete shown above has been through a lots of events. Cinco de Mayo. The sad day my mother stepped out of her homeland Mexico to immigrate to the USA. It’s also pretty old. It has passed from generation to generation. My great-grandmother to my grandmother, to my mother and in the future, (when I finally learn how to cook) the MOlcajete will be passed on to me. People still use Molcajetes today instead of using electric blenders to blend spices, but in Mexico their best blender is the Molcajete. This Molcajete means a lot to my family and especially to me because it represents my culture and my background. I dont see my molcajete as a simple cooking tool but as a treasure my great grandmother gave to me and that will always be placed to live in my heart.

– Jaileen Caltenco

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant