Viaje por sendas purépechas.
(Travels on the Paths of the Purepechas)

Reviewed by Laura Torres, Arlington, MA -- Críticas, 4/1/2008

Orellana de, Margarita, ed.
Mexico: Artes de Mexico. 2007. 202p. ISBN 978-970-683-297-9. $59.95. SOCIAL SCIENCES

The Purepechas have made their home in Michoacan, Mexico, for over 1000 years and were once a powerful empire in the pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican world. Upon the arrival of the Spanish in the New World, they were given the second name of Tarascos (ironically, the natives used the same word, which in their language means "brother-in-law," to describe their Spanish invaders in a derogatory way). Like many Latin American natives, the Purepechas’ contemporary life blends indigenous and Hispanic cultures. This collection of essays—which is divided into the thematic sections “Memories,” “Festivals,” and “Territories”—covers a wide range of subjects, from precolonial history to religious beliefs to present-day festivals. The diverse images illustrating the text include small drawings depicting Purepecha life during colonial times, color photographs of their contemporary life and costumes, and examples of their handicraft—the colors and patterns of the metallurgy and ceramic work for which they are known are still pleasing to the modern eye. This volume, which also includes examples of traditional folklore and poetry, is a good overview of the Purepechas’ history and culture. Recommended for academic and public libraries, as well as bookstores.