¡Hola Jamaica! Lele visits the island on a diplomatic mission

Lele – like the country's many vibrancies, is Mexico’s global icon. Though pint sized, she is making an impact across the world - we would say in a ‘Banksy-esque’ mode – popping up in front landmarks. Little over seven inches tall, she breezed through Kingston last week, checking out the sights of the city and soaking in the crisp sunshine.

The handmade doll is being used as a brand ambassador in an initiative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE) through the General Directorate for Policy Coordination and the Executive Directorate for Strategy and Public Diplomacy in collaboration with the government of the State of Querétaro. This public diplomacy campaign #LelePorElMundo (#LeleAroundTheWorld) was launched within the framework of the XXXIV Meeting of Ambassadors and Consuls 2023 (REC 2023) in Mexico.

This initiative forms part of the public diplomacy agenda of Mexico and contributes to the positioning of the country’s image, which is the responsibility of the Executive Directorate for Strategy and Public Diplomacy.

According the Embassy of Mexico in Jamaica, the objective of the initiative is to disseminate internationally the cultural manifestations and traditions of Mexican communities, as well as their ethnic and linguistic diversity, making use of the artistic and handicraft exponents, all of them referents of Mexican public diplomacy, through the valuable support of the network of embassies and consulates across the world.

FIRST PHASE

The first phase of #LelePorElMundo is a series of public diplomacy initiatives linked to local events around the world. According to the Mexican Embassy, “The objective of this drive is to promote actors and revalue Mexican references directly from the local level through the institutional linkage that the SRE carries out with the different levels of government, state, and municipalities, to contribute to its internationalization, as has been the commitment of Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard.”

In Kingston, Lele, dressed in her traditional finery, visited National Heroes Park, Emancipation Park, Bob Marley Museum, Caribbean Cement Company, and the National Stadium and took ‘selfies’, which were posted on the embassy’s social media pages.

ABOUT LELE

Lele, which means “baby” in Otomí (an indigenous language of Mexico, finds is origins in Amealco, Querétaro. Handmade by artisans, Lele has distinct looks – long braids, coloured ribbons, and traditional Mexican dress. The doll represents the characteristics of Otomí. Traditionally, it is said, the dolls were made of clay and filled with corn and palm husks. Lele is still handcrafted, now using cloth, and is classified as Muñeca María or the rag doll.

These doll figurines were traditionally used to protect children who passed for a safe passage on their path to eternity.

Lele has deep-rooted traditional manifestations, apart from being the traditional craft form. She symbolises the interconnectivity between the moral self and the eternal soul. According to traditional beliefs, she guides and protects the souls.

The dolls range in size from three to 45 centimetres and may be bigger in size. They are a popular souvenir item for visitors to Mexico and have also become an icon for the country.

The dolls are strongly tied to Amealco, where the indigenous population, mainly women, make these dolls. The skill sets for making these dolls are passed down from generations or learnt through family and friends. Amealco also has a museum dedicated to traditional handcrafted dolls, and hosts the annual Handcrafted Doll Festival (Festival de la Muñeca Artesanal) held in November.

Given their popularity, these dolls are made in other parts of Mexico, and are even mass-produced, but this version is not classified as authentic because of its mechanised process.

Lele will be visiting other places in Jamaica to savour the island’s richness. She is quite happy to be here - we are told.

Background information courtey Embassy of Mexico in Jamaica. Email: amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com | Twitter: @amitabhs