He typical costume of Michoacán corresponds to the native clothing of the indigenous ethnic group of the Purépechas. This is one of the four indigenous groups that inhabit the different regions of this Mexican state.
The Purépechas live in the regions of lakes and mountains. This includes the communities around Lake Pamuaro, the Tarascan plateau adjacent to Uruapan and the Once Pueblos ravine near Zamora.
The members of this ethnic group call themselves"p'urhépecha", which means"true men".
When the Spanish conquered these towns, they imposed the name of Tarascan and it was not until recently that they were able to recover their original name.
Description of the typical costume of Michoacán
In the case of women, there is a great variation among the villages, although in appearance it is very similar.
What most visitors notice is the apron, but below is a heavy blouse and skirt. Woven belts are also an important part, and in some areas they even carry two.
The typical costume of men is simpler. In fact, the information about the masculine dress is quite brief if it is compared with the data that is obtained on the feminine suit.
Women's suit
Indigenous women are especially attentive to every detail when it comes to their attire.
One of the distinctive garments is a hand-woven wool skirt known as sabanilla. Its name is due to the fact that this canvas was used to shelter the family during the night.
The skirt is placed around the waist and fastened with one or more strips of different materials such as cotton, wool or a combination of both.
20 cm of fabric are left outside; in this way, the weight causes the fabric to turn over and form a characteristic roll.
In 1930 this garment was transformed, becoming similar to the suit of china poblana: a skirt made of a horizontal panel of linen wool cloth, a piece of silk or satin fabric with tight folds and a waistband. Currently both versions are used.
Depending on the community, the women wear a peasant blouse with a rounded cut and sleeves, or a smaller version of the broad huipil, which was adapted and renamed huanengo.
The huanengo has a square cut and reaches the hips, and the neck opening is a vertical slot.
The cross stitch embroidery adorns the neckline and the edges of the sleeve are formed where the garment falls on the shoulders.
Male suit
In the case of men, the typical Michoacán costume is a blanket suit, which is an unbleached cotton cloth.
A hand-woven girdle is placed over this suit. The hat that accompanies this attire can be a straw mat (palm mat) or a wheat tube.
The typical shoes of men and women are the huaraches, which are native sandals made with woven leather.
Purépecha men have been replacing this typical clothing with western style pants, jackets and footwear.
Only hats are kept in this garment: one for parties and another for daily use.
References
- Purépecha Indian costume, icon of the state of Michoacán. (2017, April 20). In Notimex. Retrieved on November 8, 2017, from 20minutos.com.mx.
- Purhépechas of Lake Patzcuaro region. (s / f). In Mexican Textiles. Retrieved on November 8, 2017, from mexicantextiles.com.
- Rosensweig, D. and Rosenzweig, M. (2008). Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress: The Fashion of Frida Kahlo. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.
- The traditional indigenous costume. Purépechas (tarascos) of Michoacán. (s / f). National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples. Retrieved on November 8, 2017, from gob.mx.
- Vargas Garduño, M. (2013). Bilingual intercultural education and the experience of interculturality in P'urhepecha families: the case of Arantepacua, municipality of Nahuatzen, Michoacán. Mexico D.F.: SEP-CGEIB.