Celebration of Mexico at UK Libraries

Blossoms of Fire Black Velvet

Visit the atrium of the William T. Young Library or lobby of the Science Library and you will see a space bursting with color as we showcase indigenous clothing from southeastern Mexico.  The huipiles (pronounced Huipil ['wipil] – from the Nahuatl word huīpīlli [wiː'piːlːi]) is the most common traditional garment worn by indigenous women from Mexico and other parts of Central America.   These loose-fitting cap-sleeve tunics are generally made from two or three rectangular pieces of fabric joined together with stitching, ribbons, or fabric strips, with an opening for the head and arms.  The garments are decorated with both hand and machine embroidery and come from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southeastern Mexico. 

The combined physical exhibits showcase 14 huipiles mostly from the collection of Dr. Francie Chassen-López  of the History Department with a few from Dr. Monica Udvardy and Dr. Karen Tice.  The virtual exhibit will include additional huipiles from the collection of Dr. Chassen-López.  The Huipil display in Young Library and Science Library will be available until November 22^nd.  

The Huipiles exhibit joins “A Glimpse of Ancient Mexico”, exhibiting Mexican Codices displayed on the walls of Young Library’s Rose Street entrance and “Mexican Medicine from the Aztec and Mayan People” in the display cases in the entrance to the Medical Library.  Both exhibits include descriptions by Dr. Chris Pool of the Anthropology Department.  “A Glimpse of Ancient Mexico” will run through December 15^th and “Mexican Medicine from the Aztec and Mayan People” will be available for viewing until November 15^th.  All of these exhibits are part of the UK Libraries’ contribution to the Arts and Sciences Passport on the World program, ¡Viva Mexico!