Empowering Indigenous Mexican Groups Through Fostering The Practice of Traditional Textile Crafts

Hoshiakari Endo Portillo

doi:10.32920/ryerson.14657802.v1

Abstract

In a world in which globalization and technology are at their peak, indigenous Mexican communities are struggling between the pull of modernity and their ancestral traditions. They are caught between two antagonistic practices—the tension between mass-produced and traditional handcrafted textiles. This research explored strategies to foster traditional textile crafts amongst indigenous Mexican communities with the purpose of empowering indigenous Mexican groups. The main outcome of this creative research is a swimwear collection created in collaboration with indigenous Mexicans artisans. Each piece conveys indigenous Mexican craft authentically and through the creation process I was able to outline some guidelines to effectively nurture the practice of traditional textile crafts in Mexico. Given that traditional textile crafts practised by other indigenous communities are striving to survive, the findings of this study provide valuable guiding principles to preserve and reinforce the cultural legacies of traditional textiles crafts.

Highlights

Mexico is a country known for a rich diversity of traditional crafts that are directly linked to its national identity
I first analyzed the kind of crafts suitable to create a swimwear collection in collaboration with Mexican artisans
The data derived from the four phases provided me with important information to answer the research questions: What would be the effects of indigenous Mexicans participating in the global fashion marketplace? Which are the best practices or strategies that would foster collaboration with indigenous Mexican craftspeople in an ethical and respectful way? Smith (2012) argues that indigenous people’s traditional knowledge can be introduced successfully into the marketplace; she points out how “selling that legacy is viewed by many activist as tantamount to destroying the culture” (p. 220)

Summary

Introduction

Mexico is a country known for a rich diversity of traditional crafts that are directly linked to its national identity. Like other indigenous societies around the world, indigenous Mexican people were obliged to adopt the traditions of their colonists, because it was believed that European traditions were superior The aim of this MRP is to determine the factors that support empowerment of indigenous Mexican groups by way of fostering their crafts. The incorporation of their traditional textile practices into products that are marketed in the global fashion marketplace was analyzed in order to measure such products’ impact. This could provide indigenous Mexican groups with a source of income and at the same time preserve their cultural traditions. The work of participating indigenous craftspeople may be recognized by larger audiences and the value of their efforts fairly remunerated

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion