Tenangos. Memory cartographies
Discover 7 of the 13 large-format canvases, made by draftsman and embroiderers from the Otomí town San Nicolás, Tenango de Doria, in Hidalgo in 2009, which are part of the collection of the National Museum of Popular Cultures
The creation of these pieces focused on the recovery of knowledge and traditions of the community. Their importance lies not only in their aesthetic beauty or in the mastery of the artisanal technique, but in their value as cartographies of collective memory, since they narrate various aspects of the hñähñu u worldview. Otomí of the Eastern Sierra.
El Pueblo de San Nicolás (2009) by Dibujante: Safira López Patricio Bordado: Rogelia Gómez SantiagoMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
San Nicolás Town
In the Otomí or Hñahñu language, the town of San Nicolás was known as Nze’ni, which means “place where the Sabines were sown”. It is located 8 km from the current municipal seat of Tenango de Doria in the State of Hidalgo.
La petición del agua (Fragmento) (2009) by Dibujante: Ezequiel Vicente José Bordado: Clemencia Candelario ModestoMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
On these canvases, draftsmen and embroiderers captured the history and identity of their community, their natural environment, customs and social or religious dynamics of their people.
Nature, sacred spaces, daily life, myths, ceremonies and rituals are represented with cotton threads of multiple colors.
Los Tenangos, mitos y ritos bordados. (2010) by Coord. Elena Vázquez de los SantosMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
The Tenangos, Myths and Embroidered Rites, 2010
On these canvases, draftsmen and embroiderers captured the history and identity of their community, their natural environment, customs and social or religious dynamics of their people.
The artists of tenangos are heirs to the knowledge of the healers; his figures and compositions are interpretations of reality and come from the particular imagination, which makes all the embroidery unique.
El Cirio (2009) by Artist: Delfina López Patricio and Embroidery: Delfina López PatricioMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
The Cirio, 2009
Draftsmen and embroiderers refer that the inspiration for the characteristic figures of the tenangos comes from the cave paintings located in a cave in El Cirio, a sacred space for the community of San Nicolás.
The type of embroidery is one of the most important identification criteria of the tenangos, since it expresses knowledge of the community that is transmitted between generations. The hñähñu or Otomi women of San Nicolás have a long tradition of making their traditional blouse, embroidered with cross-stitch figures. Based on this ancient practice, they implemented the “cross-step” stitch, a technique that allows saving the amount of thread and that, when done correctly, does not leave blanket spaces exposed in the filling of the figures and prevents the lines from being seen of the drawing. A fundamental characteristic of the tenangos is that on the back of the canvas the stitch only marks the outline of the figures.
El nacimiento (2009) by Dibujante: Delfina López Patricio Bordado: Delgadina Caro PérezMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
The Birth, 2009
For the Hñähñu or Otomíes, pregnancy is one of the most important family events. The town midwife is in charge of accompanying the woman throughout the process, as she is considered to be the person with the greatest knowledge and experience.
El palo volador (2009) by Dibujante: Ezequiel Vicente Bordado: Macaria Candelario ModestoMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
The Flying Stick, 2009
"During the festivities and carnival the" Flying Stick Dance "takes place.
Before lifting the stick, various rituals are performed that aim to protect the dancers to avoid accidents during the ceremony."
Palo volador tenagos (2020-06) by Música cortesía de Enrique Rivas Paniagua Título: Zapateando en Hidalgo Autor: José Ruperto San Juan Tolentino Grupo: intérprete: Trío Honor Huasteco Guión y edición: Elena Pardo Animación y arte: Karina Gómez Flores Alexandra Castellanos Asistente de Arte: Antonia González AlarcónMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
Flying stick tenagos
La petición del agua (2009) by Dibujante: Ezequiel Vicente José Bordado: Clemencia Candelario ModestoMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
The petition for water
This ritual is one of the oldest in the region and was carried out during the months of April and May, in the dry season. For this, a pilgrimage accompanied by music and dances was usually carried out where all members of the community were summoned.
La muerte (2009) by Dibujante: Macario Patricio Téllez Bordado: Adela García AntonioMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
Death, 2009
A tradition that still preserves features of the hñähñu or Otomí worldview is the rite of death. According to their tradition, when a person dies an animal also perishes, since humans are thought to have a dual soul.
La boda (2009) by Dibujante: Ezequiel Vicente Bordado: Esperanza Patricio TranquilinoMuseo Nacional de Culturas Populares
The Wedding, 2009
"The marriage ritual is one of the most deeply rooted celebrations among the inhabitants of San Nicolás. In order for a wedding to take place, the groom must previously request the approval of the bride's parents. As a protocol, gifts are offered and once they are accepted you can continue with the process."
Dirección General de Culturas Populares
Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares
Centro de Información y Documentación "Alberto Beltrán"
