'I Am a Dutchirican': Puerto Rican Mennonites in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

About this episode

The episode explores the story of Puerto Rican Mennonites in Pennsylvania Dutch Country and their cultural identity as 'Dutchiricans'.

After World War II, Puerto Ricans began settling in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, drawn by economic opportunities among Mennonite farming communities. Several generations later, they’re honoring their history and reclaiming their identity as “Dutchiricans” within the Mennonite church—and beyond.  Tune in to listen to the story of a Dutchirican matriarch —from her family’s migration from Puerto Rico to their adoption of the Mennonite faith— and how spirituality, work, and resilience forged a new cultural identity. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on  TikTok  and  YouTube . Subscribe to our  newsletter .   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Maria Hinojosa

Guest: Dutchirican matriarch

Topics covered

• cultural identity
• migration
• Mennonite community
• Puerto Rican history
• spirituality
• resilience

Keywords

• Dutchirican
• Mennonite
• Puerto Rican
• cultural identity
• migration
• spirituality
• resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mennonite church

Places: Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania Dutch Country

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