Princess by Proxy
By
Sandra Richardson
A planetary truth is that after white contact with the natives,
things often don’t go so well … especially for the natives! Taos is
an exception. We’re fortunate to share this glorious natural space
with an indigenous people who have maintained the land and preserved
their cultural identity with pride. I
love multi-cultural living, but sometimes when I tell people I’m
from NEW Mexico, they hear MEXICO and misunderstand, thinking I’m
not from the USA, but living amidst natives from much further south.
Misconceptions aside, there are strong connections between
Taos and Mexico, going way back beyond the conquistadors (and
Mexican annexation) to ancient tribal trade routes—hence the
appearance of tropical parrot feathers and Pre-Columbian design
elements in Native American ceremonial regalia.
More recently, Susanna Starr, a transplanted New Yorker with “pure
Taos” heart and soul, created her own El Camino Real trade route
with Mexican natives. Over 35 years ago, this nomadic hippie-chick
met and adopted a village of Zapotec Indians. For three decades,
she’s enjoyed presenting their stunning weavings and her own
innovative cross-cultural designs to us Americanos at her
fabulous gallery, Starr Interiors (originally named La Unica
Cosa until last year) adjacent to the historic Taos Inn. She has
successfully elevated village crafts to elegant interior decor.
Susanna’s love for Mexican native cultures—especially Zapotec and
Mayan—extends to an involvement way beyond that of most people. In
her words, “Weavings have been extremely
important in my life. I love the texture, artful designs and colors,
and the metaphor. We all are constantly weaving our own stories.”
Her passion not only provides much of the employment in the
Zapotec village, but she also injects capital into the Mayan economy
through her creation of Rancho Encantado, an eco-resort on
the shores of Bacalar’s Laguna of Seven Colors in the
southeastern tip of the Yucatan. Just enough jungle has been cleared
to construct unobtrusive, thatched-roof palapas (huts), hiding
happily amidst bougainvillea blossoms. Susanna is passionate about
preserving the planet and its peoples.
| Recently, I stayed with Susanna at the Rancho, which she
designed to be an oasis of
tranquility in a speeded up world of relentless
distractions, offering relaxation and renewal. One
place on the planet where I can loll in a hammock without
feeling guilty! As Susanna says, “Once
you get into a hammock, you simply don't ever want to be
without one.” She drew on her long-term relationship with the natives
to allow myself and 20 other writers a very special entrée
into Mayan culture. The smiles, gazes of loving respect, and
big bear-hugs that engulfed diminutive Susanna everywhere we
went clearly demonstrated she’s considered a Mayan-
princess- by- proxy.
Thanks to her connections, our
group was invited to share indigenous culture in a
meaningful way. Portals of ancient Mayan ruins and
recently-thatched huts were thrown open to us, offering a
hospitable peek into the world of the living Maya. |
President Amalia & Susanna Star
|
In Mayan villages, we feasted on Brazo de Reina (Queen’s
Arm), a special ceremonial tamale-like dish of masa (corn meal),
chaiya (spinach), and eggs, served with hand-twizzled hot chocolate.
Maya matrons, with faces etched like weathered stone, made us
welcome in their homes. In a charming village of a hundred families,
called Viente de Noviembre, where they still speak Mayan and live in
time-honored ways, we went clothes shopping for
huipile, the Maya woman’s traditional dress. This simple, white
cotton shift is embellished with intricate embroidery. Margarita
invited us into her home to see how the garments are made.
First, the complex floral and animal designs are drawn free-hand
onto the fabric, then laboriously embroidered using an old Singer
trundle machine. Alternatively, some are done by hand in counted
cross-stitch needlepoint. Margarita told us it takes her about 15
days to do the embroidery for one dress. Our guide, Joaquin,
explained that she means working on it exclusively only about two to
three hours per day. “She can’t work full time because she also has
to do the hammocks and the babies and the laundry, and of course
take care of the boys and the men!” He laughed; I sighed. “Women’s
work is never done”—a multicultural tradition I’d be happy to
see fade out of fashion! We wandered down the narrow dirt street
past a cheerful turquoise wooden cottage to visit Victoria, who made
intricately-woven, colorful hammocks in her home. Cottage industries
and eco-tourism are the way the Maya hope to preserve the past and
prepare a sustainable future.
If you don’t have time to go to the Yucatan right now, you can buy
huipiles and hammocks and very affordable
Arte de Oaxaca
cotton clothing and shawls from Susanna’s other store,
Import Outlet, farther north on Paseo del Pueblo, near Yucca
Plaza.
If you’re interested in empowering
women’s workshops, “Be Beautiful Now!”
Call or email me.
Sandra
Richardson, aka Zandi, is a freelance fashion designer. For more
information on Taos designers, to let us know about upcoming fashion
events, or to make general comments on Taos Style, call Zandi
Designs: 751-1882 or email: zandi@taosnet.com.
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Zandi Designs
Original Fashions
505-751-1882
P.O. Box 1798
Ranchos de Taos, NM. 87557
www.zandidesigns.com
Motto: Goddesses Don’t Iron (most clothes are wash & wear) |
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