Breaking Down Borders: Debating Origins and Directions of Interregional Exchange in Latin America (Workshop), Aleksa Alaica (Archaeology)
- This workshop brought together emerging and prominent scholars to engage with seminal and developing debates on the origins of key food sources (i.e. cacao and maize), technological advancements (i.e. metallurgy and ceramics), and the changing styles of material remains from prominent pre- and post-colonial contexts (i.e. stonework and textiles) in order to break down the limitations introduced by contemporary frontiers. The goal of this workshop was to renew interest in the way that local and long-distance interactions in Latin America bisected modern political barriers to rejuvenate discussion on the way that strategic planning, resilience, and ingenuity of past societies transformed the trajectory of distinct cultural phases. It provided an unprecedented setting to engage with thoughtful consideration of origins and directions of interregional interaction that contributed meaningful debate and collective interpretations about the role of cross-cultural exchange in Latin America. The event was recording, and the presentations can be viewed here.
- The following video shows the presentation of Victoria, an Amuzga weaver from the town of Xochistlahuaca in the state of Guerrero (Mexico). She has been weaving and doing embroidery since she was seven years old. The pre-Hispanic weaving tradition was passed along through her family, especially the use of different types of cotton, natural dyes, and the backstrap loom. Since she was young, she has been interested in preserving this pre-Hispanic textile tradition. This interest led her to disseminate and commercialize the Amuzgo textiles in different states of Mexico, motivating her to learn Spanish as a second language. As part of these dissemination activities, she has presented her textiles in various artisan exhibitions and founded different artisan collectives where she encourages other indigenous groups to preserve the traditional weaving techniques in tandem with generating work for their communities. Her activities have positively impacted other indigenous communities from the region, especially within indigenous women who have been empowered to continue to create and rescue traditional textile techniques. Her efforts to preserve traditional manufacturing techniques have made her the recipient of highly prestigious awards in Mexico, such as the “National Award for Science and Arts” or the “National Popular Crafts Award” amongst others. She continues disseminating the importance of preserving the pre-Hispanic dying and weaving techniques in different countries, as well as teaching various workshops in Mexico.
- Este video muestra el trabajo de Victorina, una tejedora amuzga de Xochistlahuaca, en el estado de Guerrero. Desde los siete años teje y borda, una tradición que heredó de su familia, en particular, el uso de diferentes tipos de algodón, tintes naturales y el uso del telar de cintura. Desde joven Victorina se ha interesado en la preservación de técnicas de tejido prehispánicas, lo que la llevó a participar en actividades de difusión y comercialización de textiles amuzgos en diferentes partes de la República Mexicana. Este interés la llevó a aprender español, pues su primera lengua es el amuzgo. Como parte de estas actividades, ha presentado sus textiles en diferentes exposiciones y ferias artesanales; además, ha sido fundadora de distintos colectivos en los que apoya y da aliento a grupos indígenas para que conserven y promuevan su tradición textil. Sus actividades han tenido un impacto positivo en diferentes regiones textileras indígenas, en particular empoderando a que las mujeres comercialicen sus textiles y técnicas de manufactura a través del comercio justo. Sus esfuerzos por la preservación de estas herencias culturales la han hecho merecedora de diversas distinciones, entre las que destacan los prestigiosos reconocimientos “Premio Nacional de las Ciencias y Artes” así como el “Premio Nacional de las Artesanías”. Victorina continua con sus esfuerzos para difundir la importancia de las tradiciones prehispánicas de teñido y tejido en distintos países, al mismo tiempo que participa en la impartición de talleres textiles en México.