Made in Mexico: Tradition, Tourism, and Political Fermant in Oaxaca

by Chris Goertzen

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.

Genres: Travel

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like it more, but I wasn't always intrigued and felt that some chapters rambled on without as much substance as I would have liked to see. Overall though, very interesting subject matter important for all because it shows the impact of tourism on culture and how a lot of what we see and think of as "traditional" is just for show and is created more for sale to foreigners than as a natural development in cultural traditions.

[John Platz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read to help orient myself for my trip to Oaxaca.