They are the Manitos, Spanish-speaking elders who laugh together, cry together, share their pasts and embrace their futures.
Their stories should be recounted, recorded and revered. Janine Mapurunga is the one to do it.
Mapurunga, a local documentary photographer, began her journey with the Manitos in 2019, when she received a city grant to create a public art project representing South Sacramento.
To honor the diverse cultures, Mapurunga engaged with community members from 13 heritages. That’s when she met the Manitos.
Maria Lueras, now in her late 80s living in Curtis Park, founded the Manitos almost 30 years ago. Three chapters meet weekly at neighborhood centers in Midtown, Franklin and Meadowview.
The Manitos are a self-organized, grassroots community, mostly Mexican-born, many 75 years and older. Gatherings provide a safe space to speak Spanish, share resources and cultivate cultural traditions. They exercise, sing, dance, play music, read poetry, share meals, take field trips. Communal space prevents isolation in their senior years.
While working on her public art project with the Meadowview chapter, Mapurunga met the Manitos’ then-President Maria Lopez.
“She took me aside and said, ‘Can you help us record our oral histories into a book?’” Mapurunga recalls. “‘So many of us have died. And when we die, our stories die with us.’”
Many Manitos feel disconnected from their children and grandchildren, many of whom don’t speak Spanish or know their roots. The Manitos wanted to connect with the younger generations by sharing their stories, thus creating a legacy.
“Maria Lopez was smart,” Mapurunga says. “She just knew I was a grandma person.” Mapurunga was raised by her grandmother in Brazil, where she was born. “So I immediately got it.”
With a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from UC Davis, Mapurunga understands the importance of oral histories. As a documentary photographer, she recognizes the power of storytelling.
She applied for funding, but it wasn’t until 2023 when she received her first and only grant. The dollars came from the California Arts Council via the California Creative Corps, administered through 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica.
Out of 750 applicants, 18 were selected, including Mapurunga. The one-year grant included funds for the project, a salary for Mapurunga, health benefits, an IRA and professional development training.
“They uplifted us as community-based artists and the important work we do,” Mapurunga says. “It was the first time in my career that I was properly compensated for my work.”
With the funding, Mapurunga began the Manitos’ multi-year project, Bien Juntitos (Well Together), which includes a documentary film and full-color, bilingual coffee-table book the Manitos envisioned.
For the book, Mapurunga conducted interviews with 50 Spanish-speaking elders. The seniors shared stories of their culture and beginnings, experiences and challenges, violence and poverty. Many had never been asked about their lives before.
“Our elders have the most wisdom. They can guide us and advise us. They hold all of the culture,” Mapurunga says.
Mapurunga researched and digitized decades of archival materials, including news articles and photographs, to include in the book. Manitos member Marcelino Íñiguez provided his poetry.
The 28-minute bilingual movie is complete. The documentary was included in the Nevada City Film Festival in June and a Sacramento screening is in the works.
Photos and interviews for the book have come together, but more funding is needed for design and printing. Time is critical. Several elders have died since the project began, one at age 103.
Absent more grant dollars, “I had to figure out another way to fundraise,” Mapurunga says. “This was a Sacramento project, but I received no Sacramento support.”
She put out a call to the community. Earlier this year, she held her first fundraiser, sponsored by City Council members and business owners.
“My goal is for this project to be like a glue that brings us together, that connects us. People of different generations, different ages, reminding us that we need to honor and respect our elders while we can.”
Visit bienjuntitos.com to learn more, donate to the book project and sign up for the newsletter to receive information on upcoming events. The Manitos meet Tuesdays at La Familia Maple Neighborhood Center, Wednesdays at Hart Senior Center and Fridays at Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center.
Cathryn Rakich can be reached at cathrynrakich@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
