In the 1970s Indira Gandhi, working to strengthen the non-aligned movement, encouraged Mexico to build ties with Africa. Then-president Luis Echeverría, took up the challenge, and he reached out to African leaders. The first to take up his offer was Julius Kambarage Nyerere, president of Tanzania. After opening ceremonies for the United Nations plenary sessions, he startled commentators by not only deciding to visit Mexico immediately, but by doing so in a most un-presidential way: He flew on a coach ticket on Aeroméxico. “We are a poor country, and we must be mindful of our nation’s budgets,” he said at the time. He is remembered for, among other things, translating Shakespeare into Swahili.
The bonds forged between the two leaders were strong, and it led Echeverría to establish close ties with other East Africa nations, particularly Madagascar and Kenya. Since the 1970s, Mexico has and African nations have collaborated on health care, agriculture, education and tourism efforts.
This tradition continues: One of the first heads of state to visit Mexico’s current represent was African. President Felipe Calderón met with Prime Minister of Tanzania, Edward Lowassa in December 2006, where both leaders pledged to continue rapprochement between Mexico and Africa, including Mexico’s leading role in Latin America speaking out against the events in Darfur.
With this background, one of the projects that have been ongoing for more than a generation centers on the introduction of henequen to East Africa. As part of this program, sisal (henequen) from Yucatán is being used by women’s cooperatives in Kenya to make beautiful artisanal bags.
The purchase of these bags benefits two women’s cooperatives: One in Kenya and the other in the Yucatán. Arresting in color, and made of superior skill, they have been featured in such trendy women’s magazines as Lucky and Glamour. If you live in the United States or Canada, you can purchase them on our site through PayPal: Shipping and applicable taxes are included in the price. If you live in Mexico, Casa Frederick Catherwood in Mérida carries them.
There are only six styles made, and the notion that sisal (henequen) that originated in the Yucatán is empowering Kenyan women is a wonderful story of empowerment – a story that you can become a part of by purchasing one of these items, a bold affirmation and encouragement of the efforts of women to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
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