Memories of a Wise Past: Embroidering a Sustainable Future
Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla: The echo of the solidarity economy
Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
Community and tradition
The heart of the Sierra de Cuetzalan, Puebla, is home to a project by the Masehual Cihuamej Group, a trading system that is emblematic of female empowerment, progress, and living traditions.
Hotel Taselotzin, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
Dreams of progress
In 1995, the Masehual Cihuamej Group crafted a dream: a unified space to jointly market its rich craftsmanship.
Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
Ideas that transform
Together with other brave women, Rufina Villa recognized the urgency of transforming their environment, and set the stage for an evolution of the community.
Embroidery from the Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
A dream come true
Beyond selling embroidery as a source of income, this project became a tool for collective growth and an emblem of freedom.
Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
Families together
Their ideas and craftsmanship transcended their economic purposes. They contributed to food sovereignty and helped prevent migration, thus preserving the essence of Cuetzalan: their families.
Fiesta de aniversario (2015) by Claudia Alejandra Pureco SánchezSecretaría de Cultura
Heart of the community
The Masehual Cihuamej Group is a cultural and community hub where the hard work of the artisans is celebrated and compensated, while the cultural mosaic of the region is preserved.
Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
A place of transformation
The group's craftsmanship has been the engine for a cultural transformation that has led to workshops on women's rights, the environment, and the problem of waste accumulation in the community.
Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
Women who transform
The initiatives of the Masehual Cihuamej Group, from mills to tortilla bakeries, promote a solidarity economy in Cuetzalan by relieving pressures and promoting the rebirth of the countryside.
Embroidery from the Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-09-10) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
Ancestors brought to the present
Their contributions energize the local economy by strengthening a solidarity network that celebrates a rebirth of knowledge about the environmental systems of their grandparents.
Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
Teachings regarding ancient ways
Ancient practices that tell us about the importance of the countryside and sustainable cultivation as a counterweight to climate change.
Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
Ideas for renewal
The solidarity economy has transformed lives. Women have found a space to grow and create.
Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
A bright future
These women, in addition to honoring those who preceded them, are actively working to build a future based on equity and recognition.
Embroidery from the Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-09-10) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
Community fabrics
The women of Cuetzalan are a mirror image of their embroideries; they are intertwined stories that, when brought together, show us an image of a better world.
Embroidery from the Masehual Cihuamej Collective, in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico. (2023-08-24) by Manuel de Jesús Pérez GarcíaSecretaría de Cultura
