Meaning
Tejano/Tejana is an identity term for a Texan of Mexican descent or a Texas Mexican, and by extension can describe cultural forms rooted in that community, including Tejano music and related arts; it is not synonymous with every Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish-speaking Texan.
How it is used
The Handbook of Texas defines Tejano as a Texan of Mexican descent and notes that the term encompasses cultural expression in language, literature, art, music and cuisine. It also explicitly says Tex-Mex is related but not synonymous, which helps prevent identity and food labels from being collapsed together.
Examples
- “The museum documents generations of Tejano history in South Texas.”
- “Tejano music developed through several Texas Mexican and cross-border traditions.”
Pronunciation
/teˈhɑːnoʊ/ · teh-HAH-noh
Tone and register
Neutral, proud, historical, cultural, or self-identifying depending on context. Because it names an ethnic/regional heritage, it should not be assigned to people solely from appearance, surname, accent, neighborhood, or Spanish ability.
Visitor guidance
Use Tejano when Mexican-Texan identity or the associated cultural form is actually relevant. Do not substitute it automatically for Mexican American, Latino, Hispanic, Chicano or Texan; individuals and communities may prefer different labels.
Cultural context
The Handbook of Texas traces forms of the word deep into the Mexican Texas period and notes its stronger modern currency in the late twentieth century. Contemporary Tejano identity includes many regional, political, linguistic and generational experiences rather than one uniform culture.
Places represented
Open the reviewed place guide for each regional sense carried by this canonical entry.