HUELLAS
Nature's imprint on humanity
inguist Yásnaya E. Aguilar, hailing from Ayutla Mixe in Mexico, argues that "humanity is nature," highlighting the profound bond between them. Women play a crucial role in environmental preservation, contributing to the conservation of ecosystems, biodiversity, and resources, as well as the well-being of their communities. However, defending territory in Mexico is a perilous task, exacerbated by structural violence, the climate crisis, and capitalism rampant in the region. Furthermore, the high rate of femicides in Mexico, with over 11 cases per day, only exacerbates the challenges faced by women defending their territories.
This project thus explores the deep connection between women and nature, focusing on the evolution of the female body in its environment. It reflects the sensory link that unites them, guided by the concepts of memory and identity. Amidst the environmental crisis, it is crucial to examine the role of women in protecting the environment and cultural identity, establishing a connection between the degradation of the natural world and the oppression of women. This unique relationship with nature is perceived through a unified concept rooted in emotion and sensitivity.
The project also questions what happens when women become defenders of their territories and ancestral cultures. It explores the profound relationship they have with nature, as well as how the female body adapts to a constantly changing environment. Adopting a sensory approach, the project explores the strength and resilience of these women against natural elements. It blends documentary and fine art to highlight their commitment and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
Ahuehuete
-Conservar su identidad-
GABRIELA MORALES
Communidad Lacustre
Xochimilco, Ciudad de México
Gabriela Alejandra Morales Valdelamar, inspired by her grandfather's habit, keeps seeds in jars, including a corn variety adapted to the salty waters of Xochimilco. The area, known for its ancient chinampa farming system, has lost 90% of its agricultural capacity due to drought and urban expansion. Gabriela, a biologist, returned to the land after her family abandoned their chinampa. "I realized that two hands working the land do more than university texts," she says. She revived ancestral knowledge, learned traditional farming techniques, and began cultivating again. Her project, Tlazolteotl, named after a goddess of life and death, symbolizes the cultural resilience of Xochimilco. Gabriela teaches plant workshops and rowing to women, while also planting seeds of change for future generations.
-Investigation with Gwendolina Duval-
Tichinda- Mejillon
-Conservar su tierra-
MUJERES DEL MANGLAR
Origen Chatinas
Zapotalito, Oaxaca
Cirila Martínez, a fisherman living in the heart of Chacahua National Park in Oaxaca, has been fighting for the lagoon’s survival for years. The lagoon, a Ramsar site, has faced a severe crisis since authorities built infrastructure in the early 2000s, blocking the lagoon's mouth and disrupting the balance of salt and freshwater. This led to the death of fish, the disappearance of the "tichinda" clam, and the drying of mangroves. Cirila, who learned to fish out of necessity, has dedicated herself to restoring the lagoon with the support of NGOs and local authorities. Despite bureaucratic obstacles, she has been running a mangrove nursery for over a year. Recently, the reopening of the lagoon’s mouth has rekindled hope, as the water reconnects with the sea, reviving marine life and attracting fishermen and tourists once again.
-Investigation with Gwendolina Duval-
Tsïmbanio
-Defender el bosquet y su cultura ancestral -
MARIA TERESA BRAVO PERUCHO & COLECTIVO CULTURAL TSÏMBANIO
Comunidad Purépecha
Michoacan
Under the steps of María Teresa Bravo Perucho, the black sand crunches on the dry bed of Angahuan’s main water source. Deforestation has weakened the soil layers, which are washed away during the rainy season. "We've seen it wake up like this, with no water," she recalls. The community now faces a severe water shortage. Located at the foot of the Paricutín volcano in Michoacán's avocado-growing region, Angahuan’s forests are being destroyed by avocado cultivation, threatening the balance of this autonomous Purépecha community. "Although we call ourselves a community, everyone thinks they own the land," says María Teresa. The 6,000 inhabitants depend heavily on avocados, directly or indirectly, further complicated by organized crime. As the first woman to lead the indigenous council of Angahuan, María Teresa's mission is to unite the community to resist deforestation. "It’s about dialogue and reflection with the community," she explains. She decided to leave her career in orchard management and return to Angahuan, inspired by the women in her family, especially her mother, whose dream was to care for a piece of forest.
-Investigation with Gwendolina Duval-
Tenabaris - Capullito
-Conservar su cultura-
LOLO
Comunidad Yoreme Mayo
Ohuira, Sinaloa
In Sinaloa, women from three Yoreme-Mayo indigenous communities have been fighting a petrochemical megaproject for over ten years. Around Ohuira Bay, they formed the "Aquí no" collective, made up of about 600 people from the towns of Lázaro Cárdenas, Ohuira, and Paredones. Despite constant threats and intimidation in a region marked by organized crime, women have taken the lead in the fight. GPO, a subsidiary of a global fertilizer giant, plans to build an ammonia plant that would extract large amounts of water from the bay, returning it warmer and saltier, threatening the fragile local ecosystem and endangered marine species. The company has already cut down two hectares of mangroves in a sacred area for the Yoreme-Mayo to build its offices. "We have to ask permission to cut even a small twig because everything has life," says Lolo, a leader from Ohuira. Over this decade of resistance, the women have organized, educated themselves, and built a scientific foundation to defend their rights, aiming to save the bay and their interconnected community, Anya.
-Investigation with Gwendolina Duval-
Sound recording Gwendolina Duval
Huaxin
-Proteger la melipona-
LEOCADIA UITZ & AVIA SARITA HUCHIN / Colectivo Ka Kuxtal Much’Meyaj
Comunidad Maya
Holpenchen, Campeche
Leocadia Utiz, leader of Ka Kuxtal Much’Meyaj, believes she is descended from corn, which she protects through milpa farming and by organizing a native corn seed fair to preserve ancient knowledge. Meanwhile, Avia Sarita Huchin has been rescuing melipona bees in Ich-Ek for over twenty years, saving them from extinction due to deforestation. The sacred stingless bee, vital to Mayan culture, represents resilience. Sarita trains others in melipona breeding and uses the honey for its therapeutic properties. Both women are champions of indigenous traditions, safeguarding the land and its resources in the face of modern challenges.
-Investigation with Gwendolina Duval-
Nichim
-Conservar su Arte-
MARIA LOPEZ RUIZ y MARIA PEREZ PEREZ
Comunidad Tzotzil & Tsajalch
Zinacantan, Chiapas
Intellectual property of collective cultural creations: ready-to-wear giants and major fashion brands rely heavily on the traditional textile craftsmanship of Mexico's indigenous communities. The two women are at the origin of a collective for the protection of their arts.
-Investigation with Emmanuelle Steels-
