12 Days to FIUTS CulturalFest 2024!
“Learning in such an authentic context is key to dispelling myths about other people and helps us foment a more inclusive and holistic understanding of one another.”
Sandy Reyes Tena, Booth Captain of P’urhépecha-Mexico
Photo by Joanna García Cherán
Storytelling is what makes CulturalFest mesmerizing and memorable for guests and participants alike. Through the personal stories participants share and the interactive activities prepared on-site, you have the opportunity to connect with cultural representatives on a deeper level.
Being a descendant of Mexican with P’urhépecha roots, Sandy, a University of Washington student studying Environmental Studies and Spanish, is going to tell a story from the perspective of Latin American Indigenous communities at CulturalFest Expo 2024.
Sandy Reyes Tena, Booth Captain of P’urhépecha-Mexico
Hello, my name is Sandy. My family is from Michoacan, Mexico and we have P’urhépecha roots which is one of the reasons I wanted to participate in the CulturalFest. There is not much visibility for Latin American Indigenous communities outside of Latin America and I felt that it was important to showcase our culture here. We have had an incredible and complex diaspora that has not been represented in the media or social spaces. This is why I must participate in events that are specifically made to showcase communities of color and this has been one of the sources of inspiration for me.
I took the role of booth captain because I wanted to become more involved in cultural activities and help other students find spaces to represent their culture in a non-stereotypical way. Being able to share this event with a group of other Indigenous Latin American students is special to me and it creates a beautiful sense of community which is a source of strength for many of us.
Guarecita dancer with traditional braids. Photo by Joanna García Cherán
One thing we will be showcasing during our Expo is the traditional braids with ribbons that are commonly used among folkloric dancers. We will be helping people learn how to braid them and interweave colorful ribbons in them. This is important for us as many Indigenous people wear these types of braids in their daily lives and braids hold a special significance to many men and women. The addition of the ribbons is a clear way to showcase the colorful and intricate artwork that is present in Mexico. These ribbon braids are symbolic of our cultural identities and many of us hold intimate memories with our family members over the practice of braiding each other’s hair and adding ribbons to them.
CulturalFest provides an authentic learning experience for community members and allows people from within that country to share aspects of their culture with others. Learning in such an authentic context is key to dispelling myths about other people and helps us foment a more inclusive and holistic understanding of one another.
Learn about the traditional braids Sandy mentions and hear stories about Latin American Indigenous communities from Sandy and her group!
