Crafts and cultural identity: a question of history, ideology and choice

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between crafts and cultural identity in two key regions of Andean Ecuador: Cuenca and Otavalo. Crafts, more than an economic activity, act as a symbol of identity, reflecting the history and ideologies predominant in each region. In Cuenca, there is a tendency towards acculturation, with craft production oriented primarily towards external markets, while in Otavalo, crafts are part of a dual system that serves both internal and external markets, thus preserving a strong indigenous identity. Based on ethnographic research conducted over a year in the Andean region and an additional trip to Cuenca, this study highlights how choice, history, and ideology influence the way these communities use crafts to define and express their cultural identity in an increasingly globalized world.