Reasons to keep making crafts in México: Similarities and differences between current artisanal Chiapas and Jalisco

Abstract

To present and to discuss two research communities of artisans in Mexico is the goal in this document. The work is the result of a large study with an indigenous artisans Tzotil of Chiapas and potters artisans of Tonalá, Jalisco. The aim was to find some elements that allowed the permanence of traditional craft in both contexts. For this reason, we will discuss in this article what we understand for handicrafts and the development of the artisan work in the Mexicancontext. Also, we present the case studies we conducted and some of the findings results. For example, some of the reasons for artisan people to continue making handicrafts such as the cultural need lived by these communities and the interiorized discourse about the commitment to continue with the tradition of doing this work.

Keywords

• Mexican handicrafts
• Urban and indigenous artisans
• Artisan production
• Continuity/preservation of work.