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Dzitnup: Embroidering Realities Among the Mayan community, the traditional huipil is almost never used in spite of its rich history and meaning in the region. Today, women in Yucatan have stopped their traditional embroidering; instead they are working for the textile maquilas, often under very precarious conditions. As an alternative, Dzitnup is a women’s design project that seeks to promote creative, economic and social liberty for women artisans. With Semillas’ support, the women of Dzitnup were able to develop their workshop as a legal, independent operation. Currently, 15 women work on the design and artisan embroidery of each one of the pieces that they create. "We recognize Semillas as part of us for the help that they have given over the past two years. Now, people that didn’t even know what we did look at our work, listen to us, and buy from us,” affirms Juana Chan, artisan leader of Dzitnup. Dzitnup’s 15 women formed a cooperative to administer the resources that they earn and buy the materials, such as string, scissors and needles that they use. They have maintained their artisan tradition and have not industrialized their production processes. “To feel ourselves a part of Semillas has given us more ideas about our work. Thanks to their support we do it better each day. Before, none of this would have existed. We learned to organize ourselves, paid a lawyer, and have improved our business. We saw that with support we can make our ideas a reality,” concludes Juana. This year they have produced blouses, skirts, belts and embroidered shoes that they have sold in Mérida, Mexico City, and Puerto Vallarta. In addition, Dztinup has already commercialized their line in Spain, Switzerland, Holland and Japan. Their work has been requested for magazines like Be Model, Elle, Marie Claire and Código 06140, among others. The artisans of Dzitnup completely designed their most recent line and hope to open their export networks during 2008. (www.dzitnup.org) |
