Mogote: Música norteña y migración de la investigación a la acción cultural

Abstract

This research analyzes the role of norteño music as an emotional and identity-based link between the Zacatecan migrant community in the United States and their place of origin, with the aim of generating a cultural action proposal based on academic knowledge. Using a qualitative and ethnographic approach, the study was carried out between February 2023 and September 2024 in Zacatecas and the Bay Area of California (Pittsburg and San José). Participant observation was conducted during community events, along with semi-structured interviews with migrants, musicians, and cultural promoters, and surveys to broaden the perspective on musical consumption and its intergenerational transmission. Results show that norteño music not only preserves memory and cultural practices but also strengthens the sense of belonging. The main finding is that this living heritage can become a tool of cultural resistance. Based on these insights, Mogote emerged—a cultural management project that translates research into concrete actions: community exhibitions and a binational photography contest that returned the voice to those who inspired the study. This case demonstrates that academic work can lead to cultural processes with tangible social impact.