ABSTRACT

For the indigenous Lenca people of western Honduras, pottery production represents an economically and spiritually important tradition. Historically exchanged in regional trade networks, pottery is still produced today. However, this tradition is changing due to socioeconomic and political development. Lenca pottery has shifted from utilitarian wares to more aesthetic pieces favored by tourists – a change encouraged by state constructions of national identity. Promotion of what are considered ‘marketable’ indigenous crafts and attractions in the tourism industry has resulted in misconceptions among domestic and international tourists regarding distinct indigenous tradition – like Lenca pottery. Drawing on nine months of fieldwork in the Lenca community of La Campa, Lempira, this research note examines how contemporary pottery tradition may be shaped by state constructions of indigenous heritage and identity, which are reproduced through the national tourism industry. Through the application of neoliberal multiculturalism, this work explores how these political processes restrict Lenca craft producers from benefitting from tourism. To conclude, this article presents empirical evidence suggesting that despite these obstacles, Lenca artisans in La Campa maintain pottery production as a livelihood through innovative choices in altering selling and production methods.

摘要

对于洪都拉斯西部的土著 Lenca 人来说，陶器生产代表着经济和精神上的重要传统。历史上在区域贸易网络中交换，今天仍在生产陶器。然而，由于社会经济和政治发展，这一传统正在发生变化。Lenca 陶器已经从实用的器皿转变为更受游客青睐的美学作品——国家认同的国家建设鼓励了这种变化。在旅游业推广被视为“适销对路”的本土手工艺品和景点，导致国内和国际游客对独特的本土传统——如 Lenca 陶器——产生误解。在伦皮拉拉坎帕的 Lenca 社区进行了九个月的实地考察，本研究报告探讨了国家对土著遗产和身份的建设如何塑造当代陶器传统，这些遗产和身份通过国家旅游业得到重现。通过新自由主义多元文化主义的应用，这项工作探讨了这些政治进程如何限制 Lenca 手工艺品生产商从旅游业中获益。总而言之，本文提供的经验证据表明，尽管存在这些障碍，但拉坎帕的 Lenca 工匠通过改变销售和生产方法的创新选择来维持陶器生产作为生计。这项工作探讨了这些政治进程如何限制 Lenca 手工艺品生产商从旅游业中获益。总而言之，本文提供的经验证据表明，尽管存在这些障碍，但拉坎帕的 Lenca 工匠通过改变销售和生产方法的创新选择来维持陶器生产作为生计。这项工作探讨了这些政治进程如何限制 Lenca 手工艺品生产商从旅游业中获益。总而言之，本文提供的经验证据表明，尽管存在这些障碍，但拉坎帕的 Lenca 工匠通过改变销售和生产方法的创新选择来维持陶器生产作为生计。