The Government of Nicaragua has declared the huipil Intangible, Artistic and Cultural Heritage of the Latin American country, through a presidential decree signed by the president, Daniel Ortega, and published in the Official Gazette.
The Huipil, is a traditional costume of Mesoamerican origin, which has endured through time and has taken root in the culture of several Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. It is a blouse or tunic of square or rectangular shape, usually made of fabric woven by hand or made from fabrics made in traditional looms.
Based on the decision of the Nicaraguan executive, the huipil is claimed as a fundamental symbol of national and local cultural identity. In addition, September 8 is established as the Day of the Nicaraguan Huipil, a broad day in which various educational activities will be promoted, to highlight this traditional costume nationally and internationally.
The Huipil: Identity and tradition
Presidential decree 11-2023, signed by President Ortega, recognizes that the huipil embodies the richness and diversity of Nicaraguan culture, being a benchmark of pride for the nation. The text of the decree states: Declare the identity, traditional, variant, meaning, processes of elaboration and symbolic and artistic aspects of the Nicaraguan huipil as Intangible, Artistic and Cultural Heritage of the Nation».
The government mandate urges various state institutions, such as the Ministry of Education (Mined), the Ministry of Family Economics (Mefcca), the Ministry of Youth, as well as the Institutes of Culture, Municipal Development and Tourism, and the Secretariat of Creative Economy and Orange to work together to «revitalize» the Nicaraguan huipil.
Revitalization Strategy of the huipil in Nicaragua
This comprehensive strategy involves universities, educational centers, libraries, museums, Houses of Culture and media, among others. All these entities are urged to promote knowledge, promotion and revitalization of the Nicaraguan huipil among the population.
The decree also emphasizes the need to promote research that addresses the history, categories, characteristics, uses, ornamentation and processes of making huipiles in each region of the country. It is also encouraged to examine how they are transmitted generationally and other relevant aspects.
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This announcement comes shortly after the National Commission of Creative Economy anticipated a series of activities aimed at revitalizing the Nicaraguan huipil, during the National Holidays next September. The strategy, in which different state institutions participate, also contemplates the presence of students dressed in huipiles in school parades.
It might interest You: Nicaragua | Granada la joya colonial en el centro de América The Huipil now joins the list of movable cultural objects declared Cultural Heritage of Nicaragua, a group that includes various artistic manifestations and representative of the national legacy. With this recognition, Nicaragua reaffirms its commitment to the preservation and promotion of its rich cultural heritage.
