Zapotec Post-Earthquake Reconstruction | Oaxaca MX

I am so excited to tell you that we were able to expand our accompaniment in Santa María Mixtequilla, thanks to you we were able to promote the organization among women. We have told you that the region where we live has suffered many territorial changes due to the federal projects that have been built in the last decade, added to the climatic emergencies and crises that have arisen. Mixtequilla is no exception, and it’s a unique town because the population doesn’t identify itself as original or indigenous people, even though the traditions are very similar to those of the entire Istmo. This makes this town a very vulnerable territory which is going through painful transformations such as the increase of violence, political arrests and social breakdown . 

A few months ago, we began to promote the organization of groups, mainly women, who are a vulnerable group that lags behind, who outside their homes have almost no decision-making power in the village. 

We shared with more than 30 participants two workshops that we enjoyed very much, where we began to listen to each other, to learn from the chisme and to think about what we can do to face the changes and dangers that are coming with the transformation of the country and the region. 

In our first meeting, we gathered to share the traditional hairstyle of the region, the braiding with ribbon, which is used for everyday and for parties. This is a tradition that has not been lost, but fewer and fewer women know the techniques, so sharing this knowledge in a collective space was very magical. Our colleague Sara, originally from Mixtequilla, said that "Braided hair has been an image that has been lost among the new generations, we all remember their grandmothers braiding their hair, we remember their skill and also how, despite having many jobs not only for care, they gave themselves the space to braid their hair, many recognized that since becoming mothers they don't even comb their hair -it is not really necessary-".

In the second meeting, our colleague Sara led a photo-embroidery exercise, where we were inspired, by talking about why we love the Mixtequilla and what makes us belong here. We were able to talk with a lot of nostalgia about the past, but also about what we want to resist and last, as well as our role in taking care of the territory. 

Zuleyma, who participated in this workshop, said "Mixtequilla is a beautiful town for me, because this is where I am from, thank God. My family is from here, my grandparents and parents. Many people do not value the land where they live, they only take advantage of it by doing things that many do not want. I wish it was like when I was a child, but times change and people think differently. We have to look for what is good, for the town and its people".

Soon we will continue to share with you what lives among the women and children of Mixtequilla. We are very excited about the bridges we are going to cross, to talk about our rights, to share our concerns, to feel safe and accompanied. Thank you for promoting the main axis of life, which is to take care of the community.