KAHP Interview: Diann Rowland

Aug 8, 2020

Korean American Heritage Podcast presents an interview with Diann Rowland a 4th generation Korean-Mayan-English heritage seeker whose incredible journey into her family history from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico and Merida,Yucatan, Mexico.

 

Her great grandfather was Laureano Lias (aka Lee Chi Won or Lee Don Un). He was born in 1873 in Korea. He died on 10/14/1931 in Calotumul, Yucatan, Mexico. He was a candy maker in 1930 in Motul and was working in a factory in Calotumul when he died. His parents names have appeared as Juan Lias, Eduardo, Juana Pac, and Marta Hau. Her great grandmother was Marta Perez. She was born in Korea in 1877. She died on 5/26/1953 in Merida, Yucatan. Her parents names have appeared as Jose Perez, Zuijario Perez, Manuela Ham and Maria Jan.

 

"In 1905, 1,033 Koreans boarded the SS Ilford to Mexico. It was imagined and portrayed as a journey towards prosperity in the new world—a departure from what was then an impoverished country, and in the same year was already falling into the clutches of Imperial Japan. The reality that awaited these migrants was a life of indentured servitude in the Henequen plantations of Mexico, harvesting an agave that was then known as “the green gold” of Mexico." 

 

KAHP is hosted by Philip "Flip" Cuddy grandson to Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, son to Susan Ahn Cuddy, one of the most knowledgeable historian in American Korean History. The other Co-Host is Han Kim, an avid Korean Pungmul Player and has a BA from UCLA in East Asian Studies. Together they seek the truth to this American Korean odyssey.  

 

KAHP Logo designed by Minsoo Kim.

KAHP Intro music credited to Ban-Jang Kim of Windy City.

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