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Dyeing Plants and Knowledge Transfer in the Yungas Communities of Northwest Argentina

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Abstract

Dyeing Plants and Knowledge Transfer in the Yungas Communities of Northwest Argentina. In the Yungas region of the Salta province, Argentina, interest in the use of plant dyes has revived due to new market demands and the growth of rural tourism. In this study we compare the use of dyeing plants recorded between 1994 and 2000 with those used in 2007 and 2008. We also address factors currently involved in the acquisition and transmission of knowledge. We worked with 39 randomly chosen participants (of which 11 were artisans) in the first stage, and 32 artisans in the second stage. Information was gathered during semi–structured interviews and structured questionnaires. Eleven and 57 dye plant species, and 10 and 2 mordants, were registered in the first and second stage, respectively. The use of soft plant parts has increased, relative to the employment of roots and barks. Pastels predominate among the colors obtained. Mothers are the main transmitters of this knowledge; however, new mechanisms of knowledge acquisition and transfer are gaining importance. These results provide an alternative for the diversification and quality of existing crafts.

Abstract

Plantas tintóreas y transmisión del conocimiento en comunidades de Yungas del Noroeste Argentino. En las Yungas de la provincia de Salta, Argentina, ha resurgido el interés por el uso de tintes vegetales debido a nuevas demandas del mercado y al turismo rural. Se compara el uso de plantas tintóreas registrado entre 1994 y 2000 con las empleadas en el 2007 y 2008. Se analizan los factores que actualmente intervienen en la adquisición y transmisión del conocimiento. En una primera etapa se trabajó con 39 personas elegidas al azar (11 de las cuales eran artesanas) y en una segunda con 32 artesanas. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y estructuradas. Se detectaron 11 y 57 especies tintóreas, 10 y 2 mordientes, en el primer y segundo período respectivamente. Ha aumentado el uso de órganos blandos en relación al de raíces y cortezas. Los colores obtenidos son pasteles en su mayoría. Se halló que las madres son las principales transmisoras de estos conocimientos, no obstante, actualmente cobraron importancia nuevos mecanismos de adquisición y transmisión. La aplicación de los resultados de este estudio puede proveer alternativas para la diversificación y la calidad de las artesanías actuales.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the artisans for assisting in the recovery of traditional practices associated with the use of natural dyes and allowing us access to the world of fabrics and colors. We are grateful to the local staff of the National Parks’ Administration, Walter Maciel, Ximena Garibaldi and her family, the director of Los Toldos’ hospital and the nursing staff of the sanitary post in La Misión for providing accommodation in the area. Our gratitude goes also to Fernanda Fabbio, Monika Kujawska, Guillermo Gil, and Dora Vignale as well as two anonymous reviewers for their valuable contributions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina

    Daniela Alejandra Lambaré & Rita Soledad Ramos

  2. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Puerto Iguazú, Argentina

    Norma Inés Hilgert

  3. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico (CeIBA), Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS), Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Andresito 21. C.C. 8. 3370, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina

    Norma Inés Hilgert

  4. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Jujuy, Argentina

    Daniela Alejandra Lambaré

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  1. Daniela Alejandra Lambaré
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  2. Norma Inés Hilgert
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  3. Rita Soledad Ramos
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Correspondence to Norma Inés Hilgert.

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Lambaré, D.A., Hilgert, N.I. & Ramos, R.S. Dyeing Plants and Knowledge Transfer in the Yungas Communities of Northwest Argentina. Econ Bot 65, 315–328 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-011-9169-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-011-9169-9

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