Made in Mexico : tradition, tourism, and political ferment in Oaxaca

This book concerns the aesthetic, political, and socio-political aspects of tourism in southern Mexico, particularly in the state of Oaxaca. Tourists seeking "authenticity" buy crafts and festival tickets, and spend even more on travel expenses. What does a craft object or a festival moment need to look like or sound like to please both tradition bearers and tourists in terms of aesthetics? Under what conditions are transactions between these parties psychologically healthy and sustainable? What political factors can interfere with the success of this negotiation, and what happens when the process breaks down? With Subcommandante Marcos and the Zapatistas still operating defiantly in the area, these are not merely theoretical problems. Chris Goertzen analyzes the nature and meaning of a single craft object, a woven pillowcase from Chiapas, thus previewing what the book will accomplish in greater depth in Oaxaca. He introduces the book's guiding concepts, especially concerning the types of aesthetic intensification that have replaced fading cultural contexts, and the tragic partnership between ethnic distinctiveness and oppressive politics. He then brings these concepts to bear on crafts in Oaxaca and on Oaxaca's Guelaguetza , the anchor for tourism in the state and a festival with an increasingly contested meaning. Made in Mexico examines the aesthetic, political, and sociopolitical aspects of tourism in southern Mexico, particularly in the state of Oaxaca. Tourists seeking "authenticity" buy crafts and festival tickets and spend even more on travel expenses. What does a craft object or a festival moment need to look like or sound like to please both tradition bearers and tourists in terms of aesthetics? Under what conditions are transactions between these parties psychologically healthy and sustainable? What political factors can interfere with the success of this negotiation, and what happens when the process breaks down? With Subcommandante Marcos and the Zapatistas still operating in neighboring Chiapas and unrest on the rise in Oaxaca itself, these are not merely theoretical problems.

Chris Goertzen analyzes the nature and meaning of a single craft object, a woven pillowcase from Chiapas, thus previewing what the book will accomplish in greater depth in Oaxaca. He introduces the book's guiding concepts, especially concerning the types of aesthetic intensification that have replaced fading cultural contexts, and the tragic partnership between ethnic distinctiveness and oppressive politics. He then brings these concepts to bear on crafts in Oaxaca and on Oaxaca's Guelaguetza, the anchor for tourism in the state and a festival with an increasingly contested meaning. Contents 6 Preface 8 1. Introductory Case Study: Tales Told by a Pillowcase from Chiapas 18 2. Crafts and Tourism in Oaxaca 50 3. Tradition and Tourism in Festival Life: Shaping and Marketing Oaxaca’s Guelaguetza 89 4. Southern Mexican Contemporary Traditional Culture That Is Little Affected by Tourism 119 5. Things Fall Apart: Attacks on Tourism in Oaxaca and the Prospects for Recovery 150 Notes 188 References 192 Index 200 A 200 B 200 C 200 D 201 E 201 F 202 G 202 H 202 I 203 J 203 K 203 L 203 M 203 N 204 O 204 P 205 Q 205 R 205 S 205 T 206 V 207 W 207 Y 207 Z 207 ISBN,9781604737967,(cloth,:,alk.,paper),—,ISBN,9781604737974,(ebook) University Press of Mississippi Introductory Case Study : Tales Told By A Pillowcase From Chiapas -- Crafts And Tourism In Oaxaca -- Tradition And Tourism In Festival Life : Shaping And Marketing Oaxaca's Guelaguetza -- Southern Mexican Contemporary Traditional Culture That Is Little Affected By Tourism -- Things Fall Apart : Attacks On Tourism In Oaxaca And The Prospects For Recovery. Chris Goertzen. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.