The exhibition “Daily Life: The Significance of Mexican Agrobiodiversity” is set to open today at 12 noon in the Dahlia forum of the Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology (IB) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. This exhibition showcases the importance of agricultural diversity in everyday life, highlighting items that were once essential for daily tasks but are now appreciated as crafts or decorations.
Among the more than 400 pieces on display, visitors can see a variety of objects that played a role in people’s daily lives, such as an Ixtle shirgo cape made from the leaves of Yucca filifera, a mule suadero protector for pack animals, and a unique honey box. The exhibition also features a coffee pulper, indigenous emperor chairs, and fishermen’s traps with clever designs.
The purpose of this exhibition is to broaden people’s perspective on agrobiodiversity beyond staples like corn, beans, and pumpkin. It aims to showcase how agricultural diversity influences various aspects of life, from clothing and tools to food and healing practices. The exhibition also includes a section dedicated to jewelry made from natural materials like flowers, corn, and palm, as well as basketry, huipils, and medicinal plants.
Through the assembly of these items, visitors can reflect on the use of natural resources and the impact of industrialization on the environment. The exhibition serves as a reminder that preserving traditional practices and natural elements is crucial to avoid pollution and excessive use of plastics. By exploring these items, visitors can connect with nature and appreciate the ingenuity of utilizing natural resources for everyday products.
This exhibition was curated with the expertise of ethnobotanist Leonardo Beltrán Rodríguez and Salma Gómez Ibarra from the educational area of the Institute of Biology. It invites visitors to explore the rich history of Mexican agrobiodiversity and its essential role in everyday life.