The Sandino Culture and the new man: Literacy, popular music and gospel. Nicaragua 1979-1980

Abstract

We aim to analyze the Sandino’s Legend as one of the most decisive elements when it comes to shape the ideas about what is national and popular. In that sense, we will examine some of the practices and strategies that made possible the establishment and popularization of the Sandinista’s ideal in Nicaragua. Firstly, we will lay down the conformation of a Revolutionary culture, or, in other words, a Sandino’s culture. Secondly, we will discuss the clergy’s influence on this configuration and its adaptation to the Nicaraguan context. Thirdly, we will concentrate on our main topic: the Alphabetization Book Guide and the manuals used during the Cruzada Nacional de Alfabetización (National Alphabetization Crusade) and on this experience in general. Finally, as we explore the latter issues, we will approach the New Nicaraguan Song as a support to these processes and as a part of the expression and configuration of what is popular. All these elements will be understood as contributing to the popularization of Sandino and the foundation of a popular culture.