Outside of social movements
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Transcript of Outside of social movements
OUTSIDE OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTSDilemmas of Indigenous Handicrafts Vendors in Guatemala by Walter E. Little
Contrary to the expectations of the author, Maya handicraft vendors do not participate as a unified group in the Maya Movement largely because the movement’s narrow definition of the identity “Maya” limits the vendors economically
Compañía de Jesús Artisan Marketplace More than 200 vending stalls Represent Kaqchikel, K’iche, Ixil, Mam,
Ladino Tz’utujil ethnolinguistic groups Largest handicrafts venue in Antigua
1992- Sunday market in main plaza discontinued by law
Caused vendors to seek vending locations elsewhere
Compañía de Jesús monastery- main destination
Other Social Factors: 1980’s
Decreased government/guerrilla military campaigns against Mayan communities
Decreased wages and property ownership for Mayan farmers
Increased tourism Decreased political violence Tourism promotional campaigns by
Guatemalan Tourism Commission
2 Levels of Economic Participation
Vending laws Import/Export of
Handicrafts Taxes
Tourism El Salvador Europe Japan United States
National Economy Global Market
A Look at the Maya Vendor
Sales of handicrafts of: Vendor Extended Family Fellow Villagers Generic items of weaving/blanket/rug firms
Informed about current events and Maya Movement
Utilize Mayan language between vendors, but Spanish/language of buyer in business transactions Effort to attract tourists
Maya language for authenticity Language of buyer to put tourist at ease
Comparative Wages
Maya handicrafts vendor (at Compañía de Jesús)- $2700-$8000 annually
Agricultural/Construction worker- up to $1000 annually
Rural schoolteacher- $2000 annually Domestic servant- $1000 annually
Vending as Theaterical Interaction between Tourist and Vendor Tourist- amateur, “character role” Vendor- perpetuate romanticized Maya image
Women are main vendors Wear traditional dress Work at loom
Emphasize “Mayanness” of handicrafts Use stage to voice inequalities suffered by
Maya people Discrimination by Ladino-dominated society Decreasing Maya identity through growing U.S.
influence
Women’s role in Handicrafts Sales
Most vendors- Kaqchikel women Related to tourists’ conception of
Maya woman as main producer of handicrafts and participant in market economy
Part of tourist theatrical performance Involved in organizational
structure Vice President Treasurer Secretary Chairs of various committees
Women’s roles continued…
Economic contributions through handicraft sales increased their overall importance within the household Many female-headed households
No dichotomy of marketplace/ household Instead, easy flow between two spheres Household chores become part of tourist
theatrical performance to emphasize authenticity
Men take over domestic duties Women became active in decision-
making where income is spent (mostly with Kaqchikeles)
Obstacles to Vending Practices Posed by Ladino-controlled Society Mayor of Antigua- attempts to charge vendors even
though vending on Spanish-owned space Harassed by police when transport goods to storage
units 1997- New ordinances on vending stall and aisle sizes Merchandise seized Fined for non-existent violations Imprisoned for supposed theft and illegal street sales Confronted by stereotypes associated with the
marketplace and Mayas Thieves Sell poor quality goods Sell at unfair prices
Reactions to Discrimination
Restructure marketplace to new governmental codes immediately following mandate
Contact Human Rights Office in Antigua and the UN in Guatemala
Create deferent and collaborative bartering dialogue with tourists Counteracts misconceptions about Mayas Encourages greater attendance by tourists
Appeal to tourists Outlet to voice inequalities
Refusal to participate in “Ladino” institutions Antigua Chamber of Commerce Greater business associations
Do not use striking Souvenirs are not subsistence products Do not contribute to local businesses Little revenue to government from their sales Causes vendors to have little influence from
striking as a method of protest Discontinued appeals to police when robbed
Understand that police will not intervene in these cases
Sometimes charged with illegal street vending when sought help from the police
Artisan Association
Establish overall image to present to tourists to encourage attendance Monitor cleanliness Police pick-pocketers Clear aisles Regulate goods- authentic, not foreign manufactured
Negotiate with government for public services, official recognition, and a secure selling location Write demands to government Sign documents as a group Present documents to Mayor
Debate affiliations with economic/political organizations Against official affiliation with Maya Movement
Maya Movement
Advocate against history told by the oppressors Demonstrate distinctly Mayan perspective
Based on language, cosmology, reverence to elders, clothing, ecology
Goals at local level- establish Maya language education improve general education increase political rights improve health care encourage cultural practices
Goals at national level- increase political participation/representation of Maya
communities promote of Maya identity increase political awareness
So, why not active in Maya Movement? Women do not want to participate in greater political
organizations because male-dominated and do not want to lose the power of their status as primary source of income
Political activity limits activities that directly benefit handicraft sales Focus on cultural identity over efforts to improve economic
conditions for Maya vendors Vendors’ concern with economically-practical improvements
Education focused on literacy, math, useful languages (English) Health care Employment opportunities
“Maya” identity encouraged by movement does not correspond with the vendors’ conception of their identity, too narrow
Vendors reject concept of national identity Ladino government relegates Mayans to the past Homogeneity encouraged through pressures of conformity to
national structures
Identity of the Maya Handicrafts Vendor
“Maya” term from perspective of vendors: Seen as commercialized identity used for
tourist-oriented business transactions Success with tourists based on ability to “sell”
their authenticity to the foreigners Describes their ancestors
Due to depiction by Ladino government of Mayas as label for Pre-Colombian people
Instead, identify themselves as “indígenas artesanos,” or indigenous artisans
Identity strategically utilized to enhance their livelihoods in market vending
“The processes that generate the contexts in which identity is practiced constitute a global arena of potential identity formation. This arena is informed by the interaction between locally specific practices of selfhood and the dynamics of global positioning.”
-Friedman (1992:87)