Celebrating the Dead, Wiki Style!

In Mexico, the dead are celebrated once a year during an event called “Día de Muertos”or Day of the Dead. It is a syncretism of indigenous beliefs with Catholicism. While it is observed in almost all of Mexico (and now parts of the United States), how it is celebrated varies from one place to the next. For example, local observance can last from one to three days. The “day” is 2 November, but those who observe three days begin on 31 October. Preparations for the event begin well before this and usually include the creation of an altar called an “ofrenda” (offering) which includes traditional Mexican foods, fruits and other produce in season and if at the home, photos of the deceased being honored along with offerings of things in life that they enjoyed. At my home, my mother’s photo is accompanied by Milky Way candy, Pepsi, a cup of tea and even a pack of cigarettes. In addition to ofrendas, it is traditional to clean and decorate family graves on this day and even spend a day or night there. During the month of October, many schools and cultural institutions sponsor events as well.

The library at my school, ITESM-Campus Ciudad de México in Mexico City, wanted to participate in some way with Wiki Loves Libraries which occurs in October and November. We decided one of the best ways we could introduce working with Wikipedia to students was to sponsor a photo contest, similar to Wiki LovesMonuments, themed for this holiday. While there are a number of photographsalready in Wikimedia Commons, they do not really begin to tell the story of this very rich tradition. The contest has three categories with prizes: 1) the best photo (which I call the “Wow” category) 2) the most original photograph (of something no one else thought to take a picture of) and 3) the student that uploads the most photographs of different things to Commons between the contest period which is 5 October to 5 November 2012. The three categories are there to encourage different kinds of photography, not only good pictures with good cameras and techniques, but photos of local traditions, preparations and more as well as increasing the breadth of photographic coverage. It not only allows students who don’t have access to expensive cameras and training a chance to win, it also aims to capture images and themes which are not already in Commons.

The wiki page for the event is at http://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Education_Portal/Projects_and_Programs/ITESM-Campus_Ciudad_de_M%C3%A9xico/Wiki_Loves_D%C3%ADa_de_los_Muertos

Interesting perk for working with #Wikipedia

By Thelmadatter

When people ask me why I devote so much of my free time to Wikipedia, I tell them that while I dont get paid for what I do, I get some amazing perks! I experienced one of these perks during my recent trip to the Costa Chica region on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Mexico’s first Wikipedia GLAM cooperation is with the Museo de Arte Popular (MAP) in Mexico City, which started in May 2011. MAP has invited me and other Wikipedians to cover various museum events for Wikipedia. One of these was the sixth anniversary celebration of the institution in March of 2012, where I had the chance to meet a number of interesting artisans, including Juana Santa Ana. Juana does public relations for a group of Amuzgo indigenous weavers called Liaa’ Ljaa,’ which is in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero state, near the Pacific coast. Xochistlahuaca is the largest Amuzgo community in Mexico where most people still wear traditional dress and speak the Amuzgo language. The most notable garment is the women’s huipil, a long tunic worn over a sleeveless dress. You can see both hand woven huipils with complicated designs as well as those made from commercial fabric.

Juana invited my husband (AlejandroLinaresGarcia) and me to visit her town and see the work that they do. Juana could not accompany us, but she gave us the name of her brother Ireneo, who runs the Xochistlahuaca Community Museum. We spent almost two days in the town, getting not only a personal tour of the town and museum and a chance to take photos of some of the town’s weavers but we were also treated to meals prepared by Juana’s and Ireneo’s mother (who speaks only Amuzgo). While tops was the opportunity to take the photos and show everyone what we can do in Wikipedia, I have to admit the food was a really, really close second!

Finished articles for Wikipedia from that trip so far include the Costa Chica of Guerrero (the region where most Amuzgo live) and Amuzgo textiles. Other articles that will follow include one about the Amuzgo people and a decent expansion of Xochistlahuaca. The Amuzgo people I met were amazing. Neither Juana or Ireneo were familiar with Wikipedia as most of the older generations from Xochistlahuaca are not familiar with the Web. However, they are open to new ideas and how to promote their amazing textiles to the world.

The object of objects

The Museo del Objeto del Objeto is the latest museum that contributed pictures to Commons. This is a museum from Mexico and it is a museum about objects. Objects that are used in everyday live and particularly objects that are used in Mexico.

When you think of it, many objects that played a major role in the early parts of your life are now obsolete, they have been replaced by later iterations or just went away. Some of these objects still exist and for some, people have to guess what they were used for. A museum that saves such objects is exactly the kind of museum that has pictures that are easy to use in our Wikipedia articles buy are hard to categorise. 

The picture of the Dromedary cigarettes is the one I like best. It looks like the Camel cigarettes package and it actually has a camel in the picture. It is as wrong as the Camel package because that does show a dromedary.

Anyway, enjoy the first contribution by the Museo del Objeto del Objeto.
Thanks,
     GerardM

A #Wikipedia club at a #University in #Mexico

Leigh Thelmadatter
Sometimes the stars align and one can combine something one loves with what pays the bills. This is what is happening to me this fall semester with Wikipedia and the teaching of English.
I’ve worked to promote Wikipedia as a way to improve language skills, but it hadn´t received much traction. This semester, I proposed a Wikipedia Club at my university, ITESM-Campus Ciudad de México, and it has been a hit! Thirty five students have signed up, at least three departments (languages, communications and journalism) have pledged support, we had our first event, a “translate a thon” last 20 August, and I now mentor about ten students who are working with Wikipedia either for partial credit or, in the case of four students, independent study for their last English class.

The network of organizations behind Wikipedia is what draws interest to the Club and working with Wikipedia as a school project. Grade inflation and other factors have made getting the degree only the most basic requirement for getting work after graduation. Students need ways to enhance their résumés and create contacts before leaving school in order to stand out from the multitude that also have a sheepskin in their hand. Wish I had learned this a long time ago!

Working with Wikipedia and Wikimedia offers opportunity for students in many different majors, from technical fields, law, business and straight up humanities as the “wiki-world” not only needs people to do research and writing, but also to promote, sort out disputes and improve the dang wiki-code!

In countries such as Mexico, where learning a second language is extremely important but hard to “sell” to students, the international nature of Wikimedia is a great way to demonstrate the opportunities that speaking English, French, German, etc. offers to them. Most don´t even realize the interest the world has in Mexico!

Mexico calling language teachers.

by Leigh Thelmadatter


Things have been happening at Wikimedia México, we have one GLAM partner, the Museo de Artes Populares in Mexico City and two recent preliminary agreements with the Direction of Museums of the state of Colima and the Museo Ma Teresa Pomar at the University of Colima. This same university has also started a Wikipedia Club, the first in Mexico. Thanks to Rodolfo Velasco, Angie Mojica and Hugo Rodriguez for all their hard work!

This makes us really happy however, we want to do even more.

I recently posted a message on a listserv for English teachers in Mexico run by the U.S. embassy in Mexico City with the idea of recruiting language teachers to Wikimedia Mexico and the wider Wiki world. I have received sixteen responses so far to that mail and have directed them to our website and to add themselves to our listserv, but I will need to do more for this to get off the ground.

I believe foreign language teachers and foreign language students (especially those majoring in foreign languages) are a natural fit for Wikipedia and Wikimedia as not only is the encyclopedia multilingual, the organization is international and multicultural. It can provide language students a place to practice their language(s) in an “authentic” way (meaning in the real world for something other than grades) and give both teachers and students a way to network internationally, learning intercultural communication skills.

I would like to network with Spanish-as-a-foreign language teachers from anywhere in the globe to form partnerships with Mexican foreign language teachers using Wikipedia as a medium of communication. This could be a good way to get interested teachers started and more teachers interested. I teach English-as-a –foreign language but I can get in touch with teachers of other foreign languages here in Mexico.

Meet Alex and Leigh, a couple from #Mexico

#GLAM, #language and #Wikipedia are the reasons why I was contacted by Leigh Thelmadatter. She and Alejandro Linares Garcia (Alex) are a couple happily living and working in Mexico. 

Sadly we three will not be meeting at the GLAM meeting in Mexico, only Leigh can attend.
Thanks,
       GerardM

Both of you love to go on photo expeditions in Mexico. What subjects are you most interested in photographing

Most of our work has mostly focused on small towns in central and southern Mexico, along with museums and other cultural venues in and around Mexico City. We look for places to visit which have something different and unique about them, with an eye towards writing for English Wikipedia. When we take photographs, we have two aims. One is to illustrate for WP and the other is to note artistic aspects, especially details.  The first is for me as I do most of the writing and the latter is for Alex as he is an artist.
 

details of ceiling at the 18th century Sanctuary of Atotonilco, Guanajuato

From the Dutch press you get the feeling that all Mexicans want to leave for the USA or are into narcotics. Obviously both perceptions are wrong. What are Mexicans like

What you read about drug traffickers and the migrants is “yellow journalism.” Its gets lots of attention because it sells papers. It is not the everyday experience of most Mexicans. Most are normal people, just like everyone else. Maybe Mexicans like to do things with a little more style.
 

Pouring hot milk into espresso style coffee at La Parroquia in Veracruz

I understand that there are many regions in Mexico, are there many differences between the regions? 

Mexico is a very large country, so of course it varies a lot. Another reason it varies is that it is made up of many different indigenous cultures, with mixed with Spanish influence in their own ways and different degrees. There has even been African influence in areas of the country such as in Veracruz.
 

I understand Alex wants to take up filming, does that mean that Leigh is going to take more pictures ?

Maybe someday, but not until we have a decent video camera. That’s a question of money. However, Leigh believes Alex has the ability to do this.
 

Practice makes perfect.. you are making many, many pictures. What more can you do to improve the quality of your pictures?

Alex will enroll in a course for digital photography esp to learn to take advantage of the features of the camera we have as well as digital editing. Remember, we grew up in the era of film cameras.
 

How well known is Wikipedia in Mexico?

Wikipedia is very popular because it appears first in Google and many kids use it for schoolwork. Just like the rest of the world.
 

What is the biggest opportunity for Wikimedia in Mexico?

Mexico is known and yet unknown to the rest of the world. Although most know it as an important tourist destination, this is limited to a few destinations such as Cancun, Acapulco, Baja California and to a lesser extent, Mexico City.  Wikipedia and Commons allow for the uploading of far more information about the wide variety that is Mexico than any magazine or book could ever offer.
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Pre Columbian piece at the Regional Museum of Chiapas

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You are involved in setting up a Mexican chapter, what is it that you want to achieve with a chapter most?

We are most interested in GLAM, and finding ways to promote the writing of quality articles about Mexico, in whatever language.
 

Are Mexican museums the same as US American museums, what do you like about Mexican museums?

Alex has not yet been to the States (still working on the damn visa!) and Leigh is ashamed to admit that she did not go to many museums in the States. Mexico has many more than the US. Mexican museums are pretty laid back, are almost always in good condition and well cared for and generally allow photos. Some charge to take photos but this is a nominal fee and we consider it worth it.
 

 Hall in the Anahuacalli Museum in Mexico City

Leigh has a helmet, does Alex have a sombrero ?

Speaking of stereotypes….. (this is Alex’s fantasy… no way in heck Leigh would ever be caught dead grinding anything like this)
 

 

A #GLAM in #Mexico city

The "Museo de la Ciudad de México" has four #Wikipedia articles. It does not have its own website and consequently a presence on the Internet as we expect it from a museum of this standing does not exist.

Mexico, the city has quite some history and consequently a museum dedicated to the city has quite some story to tell. It goes all the way from before the Aztecs, to the conquistadores and modern Mexico.

For us citizens of the Internet, connecting to a GLAM that is still mostly in an analogue world is quite a challenge. You do not contact the museum directly as it is governed by the municipal government. But still, in the end it is the partnering with the museum people that makes for a productive relation.

A partnership with a museum like this will break new ground for the Wikimedia GLAM movement; it will not be all taking place in cyber-space. The foundations for mutual partnership will always have a real life component.
Thanks,
      Gerard

Guest Blog from Mexico

by L. Thelmadatter

I have recently calculated that between my husband (AlejandroLinaresGarcia)and I, we have uploaded about 9,000 photographs into Wikimedia Commons related to Mexico over the past couple of years. It has come about through a convergence and compatibility of interests. Ive been in Mexico for about seven years and for this American at least, it really is a case of “so close, and yet so far.” Nothing shows the better than the Mexican attitude towards death -- thought of as a living being (Santa Muerte at right) and something to celebrate (Day of the Dead in the cemetery/atrium of the San Andrés Mixquic church below)

Mexico is right next door, but historically and culturally it is a world away, which gives it a kind of mystery. This is especially true for Mexico City and the highlands in the center, which is off most people’s beaten tourist path. One unknown is the Carnival of Huejotzingo, Puebla pictured below where many kilos of gunpowder are burned over four days....

Making use of our weekends, my husband, a Mexican and an artist, and I began exploring towns and other areas in and around Mexico City where we live. On vacations we can go a bit farther, say to the Costa Grande of Guerrero or to Chiapas, which we will do next week. Between this, the love of detail and the blessing of digital photography, we have no trouble snapping hundreds of pictures at a time, like we did in the Sierra Gorda in Querétaro (mission church  in Concá below).

Instead of just keeping the photos somewhere, or even having a personal account such as Flickr, it seems only natural to upload them into Wikimedia Commons. I have been writing about Mexico in English Wikipedia since 2007, trying to understand what I see and experience. Articles about places NEED photographs, or it’s just a wall of text. While loaded with texts, articles such as Taxco, Traditional fixed markets in Mexico, Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda and Casa de los Azulejos, Mexico City would simply not be appealing without images. Now if I could only find a way not to spend HOURS and HOURS uploading images one at a time….

On #Wikipedia we have no friends

#Facebook is wildly successful because all your "friends" are there. Wikipedia by contrast has a problem growing its community, it is not where you have friends.

Most of my Facebook friends I know because of a mutual Wikimedia interest. Many of these friends I have met and I would consider helping them when asked. Leigh Thelmadatter came to me for help because I advertised myself as a GLAM ambassador.

She is preparing a GLAM partnership with a Mexican museum and, I have enjoyed many an interesting conversation with her and was happy to help her with several Tropenmuseum pictures of Mexican objects.

Conversations among friends are not limited to the business at hand. We talked about education, Mexico, photography, pain in my back ... The photography part provides an other reason how Leigh adds to her Wikimedia relevance; she has uploaded over 5100 pictures taken by her and her husband of the nooks and crannies of Mexico and this makes it an awesome collection.

As she likes the picture of the San Miguel Concá mission very much and as it clearly demonstrates a different style of church, I nominated it for featured picture.

I wish that we could all be friends, Wikipedia friends. I wish I could help my friends who come new to Wikipedia. It will help when you can find the friends that are already there. When you make a booboo as a newbie, it is friends who can help you best settling in, who can make you feel welcome.

Wikipedia is not Facebook, but we can learn from Facebook how to be nice and have friends.
Thanks,
      GerardM

Doing a good job, and then the reward ...

Having been involved on the #Wikimedia side of GLAM, it was my privilege to learn people in many parts of the world interested in different aspects of both Wiki and GLAM. With the whole program becoming more official, it was time to make myself an "ambassador"  now that I still can or forget about it.

I did and clearly there is a clear need for people who are available for questions, who are willing to give people their bearings. The lessons learned from the Tropenmuseum and from my language involvement make for a happy fusion.

I have had wonderful conversations with two ladies, one from Mexico and one from South Africa. Both were a mix of GLAM and language and exhilaratingly different.

Thelmadatter was getting into contact with me independently about Wikipedia for native Mexican languages and the different ways you can approach a museum. The Tropenmuseum has many Mexican objects in its collection and this made for an interesting exchange of views. Mexican arts and crafts have a rich tradition and they can do with increased visibility.

An organisation in South Africa wants to improve information about Africa in Wikipedia for Africans. This conversation went very much the other way; we started with GLAM and ended up what practical activities will infuse activity in Wikipedias like the one in Xhosa or Zulu. I gave them a challenge and, when they accept I will blog about their organisations and what they aim to do.
Thanks,
      GerardM

Obviously, Jesus is white

When you look at the many images of Jesus, he must be white because he is mostly depicted as a young lily-white young male. When you consider that he was from a Semitic origin, such images do not show what he looked like. The crucifix at the Cathedral in Mexico City provides as powerful a illustration of a suffering Christ as any other crucifix.

Within the Christian churches, there have been many instances where later generations bemoaned the puritanical notions of their predecessors. They cut of the penises of Roman and Greek statues, they destroyed statues and imageries in several iconoclasms all in the name of their personal God.

At this moment there is a discussion about the existence of images of Mohammed. There are Muslims who belief that their prophet should not be depicted. At that they are as devout as the many Christians who belief that Jesus and other religious figures should not be depicted. Both Jesus and Mohammed cleaned out their temple consequently this type of puritanism has a great provenance.

There is no such thing as the Wikipedia. There are Wikipedias in over 270 languages and their communities have representations of many people and cultures. These include even more incompatible beliefs. In this day and age, there is an iconoclasm by Muslims who belief that Mohammed should not be depicted and in time honoured fashion they will strike out where they feel to be insulted.

Such a belief is not tolerant, and as a consequence such people have a problem applying our NPOV to what is an article of faith to them. Coming to an consensus is problematic because there is so little appreciation for the others conflicting pillar of faith.

Articles of faith are problematic in any Wikipedia. Fundamentalism is one reason why I do not edit the English Wikipedia.
Thanks,
      GerardM