Center for Latin American Studies

Truck and bus drivers across Latin America delight in inscribing dichos—sayings or amusing expressions—on their vehicles. Hand painted in an endless variety of graphic styles and colors, dichos address subjects ranging from religion and love to puns and earthy humor. Unfortunately, with the emergence of corporate trucking and government push for standardized public transportation, this vibrant folk art may gradually disappear.

In Dichos: Words to Live, Love and Laugh By in Latin America, the Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA) offers an engaging look at this endangered tradition. DVD resources available for free checkout through the CLAS lending library and view the pdf file below.