Mexican Hindus: Punjabi-Mexicans of the Imperial Valley

elchrist

I was looking around for some "bizarre" food of the Imperial Valley when I some how came across a strange mix of Mexican culture that started out in the early 1900s right smack dab in this county.

It turns out that Punjabis, from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, would send out their sons to make money. Many were sent to what is now the Imperial Valley to work in the fields. Since it was only sons that migrated, they needed wives, so they hooked up with Mexican women because they were a plenty and they believed their physical characteristics were similar to those of Punjabi women.

The Punjabi men taught their Mexican wives to cook their food such as curries, roti and maybe even delicious naan bread. So that means in the early days of the valley, we had lots of Indian-type food.

Unfortunately, it seems like most of the Punjabi-Mexican Americans now live in Yuba City (Central Cali; near Chico). I wonder if any still live the valley and if so, why don't they open up a Punjabi-Mexican restaurant?

Was the Indian restaurant next to Jacques & Jill's owned by a Punjabi-Mexican couple? I remember the man was Indian and the wife was Mexican. Although she referred to naan bread as tortillas, which always annoyed me.

Anyway, there's a documentary about the Punjabi immigration to this area called "Roots in the Sand," which I haven't seen. I need to find myself a copy and give it a look.

831transplant · Cholo Nako Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 15

great film.. i bit slow.. but good film.. saw it at IVC with m. guzman spanish 262 i think...

chuco boy · Posted: 16 Aug 2007 01:42 PM Post subject: Punjabi

We have a lot of local families that are PUNJABI-MEXICAN....Saikhon, Singh,

elchrist · Posted: 16 Aug 2007 01:55 PM Post subject: Re: Punjabi

AikiMike · Posted: 16 Aug 2007 08:24 PM Post subject:

There is the Sikh Temple in El Centro and displays at the Pioneer's Museum relating to the contributions to the Valley by the East Indian population. Still lots of folks around with roots going back to Punjab, Mexico and the US. Not all are doctors, nor are they convenience store owners, just folks. I wish a few did run restaurants - the food is terrific!

elchrist · Posted: 16 Aug 2007 09:07 PM Post subject:

ivfootball.com · Posted: 17 Aug 2007 01:51 PM Post subject: The Mohamed Family

The Mohamed Family is also featured in that PBS Flick. Niaz is the patriarch they speak of, and its his grandsons Mike, and Marty who are now playing college football, which Niaz did for Notre Dame if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if this is part of the feature. I think their may be a link to a video clip of this.

byntapb43 · Posted: 17 Aug 2007 06:10 PM Post subject:

"Unfortunately, it seems like most of the Punjabi-Mexican Americans now live in Yuba City (Central Cali; near Chico)."

Should read Yuba City (NORTHERN Cali; near SACRAMENTO).

UN NATIVO DE NORTE.

elchrist · Posted: 17 Aug 2007 07:38 PM Post subject:

byntapb43 · Posted: 18 Aug 2007 03:09 PM Post subject:

Wow. Only 3. I'll read my maps more often. Gracias a D-os for Mapquest.