Blog #2: Authenticity and The Zapotec Tradition

Authenticity and The Zapotec Tradition

One of the major questions that came up in our discussions today is that of authenticity. Much like our own University store must sell only authentic or licensed merchandise bearing the UConn logo, a similar notion of the quality of authenticity also applies to the craftsmanship and the products of the artisan communities in Mexico. Yet before I get into a description of what exactly makes the products we saw today more authentic than others, let me begin by speaking about a sense of authenticity brought up in one of the readings for today.

In a piece titled the McCulture clash the author describes the ongoing debate as to whether or not a McDonalds should be given a permit to open in the center of the city. In Oaxaca City the central plaza is called the Zocalo. It is a beautiful place surrounded by municipal buildings, a large church, some cafes and a few convenience stores. None of the businesses around the Zocalo are franchises and this is where the debate begins. The argument from those who oppose McDonalds opening in the Zocalo is that since there are no franchises, the area maintains a sense of unique cultural authenticity. On the other hand, some argued that it would not be that big of a deal for a McDonalds to open up, it might even be nice. There are street vendors who already sell hamburgers in the plaza, and others who sell balloons of American cartoons and other cultural icons. So it isn’t so much a question of American cultural influence but another aspect of the debate is that of the authenticity of the food we eat in general. Specifically that we need to move from fast food back towards slower foods. Many of the worlds hunger issues are held up in the need for mass production of goods for multinational fast food franchises like McDonalds, the last thing we should be doing is supporting such companies, which indirectly create world hunger problems. Proponents of the slow food movement sometimes call themselves foodies and they argue for the need for more authenticity in our dietary habits. This includes both the food itself but also the preparation of the food as the basis of culture and society in many ways is based around the diner table. There is a need to maintain the tradition of food preparation as passed down from our ancestors. These same exact principles apply to the weaving practices of the artisans we met today.

The indigenous people famous for the traditional weavings are called the Zapotec. The Zapotec people tend to live and work with their families in a manner equipped with everything needed to make the rugs. The rug weaving demonstration we saw today went through the entire process from the raw materials to the final product. The same exact methods that have been used for hundreds of years are still practiced today; essentially the family that we visited uses only the natural products that have been available since the times of their ancestors. The wool is cleansed with a root, the hair is brushed out and yarn is spun by hand, the dyes are all made from plants and natural materials, and the weaving process takes place on a traditional style loom. Others have perhaps moved to newer technology, detergents to wash the wool, mechanical systems for spinning the wool, and synthetic dyes. The difference between the two is one of authenticity as the traditionalists are preserving the culture and way in which the weaving has been done, a rug today is made the same as a rug made two hundred years ago, there is a sense of quality control as you know what you are getting and how it was produced. The less authentic weavings may not be obviously different but they take away from the unique heritage and practices of the weavers as they have been passed down for generations. Remembrance and respect for heritage and tradition is an important feature of a responsible person and by experiencing or paying attention to the authenticity of things one is able further develop themselves in their capacity to act responsibly.

Finally it allows for a society that demands such authenticity and holds one another accountable for their actions as responsible adults. I certainly hope this is indeed the way in which we are moving as a culture and a society, not only American but as a global community.

- Jeremy-