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You are here: Home / 2015 / March / 26 / Occupations in India and Mexico

Occupations in India and Mexico

Published on March 26, 2015 by Maddy Belt
Ghattee Hamalls, or Bearers

Ghattee Hamalls, or Bearers

The photograph titled, Ghatee Hamalls, or Bearers, was taken around the 1850s or 1860s by William Johnson, and displays six men outside a building. In the center of the photograph, there is a man who appears to be lounging in a raised-up compartment. The fact that he is being carried insinuates that he is too important to have to walk anywhere by foot. He is dressed in all white, has a beard, and is the palest of the 6 men, which most likely means that he is British. The lounging man is seen talking to a darker man in darker clothes. It is hard to tell what class the darker-clothed man is from without further context, however, his put togetherness implies that he is of higher rank than the four men carrying the compartment, yet still answers to the man being carried. The last four men are wearing nothing but pieces of cloth, which suggests that they are of significantly lower class than the other two men. Given that Bearers is the title of the photograph, it is safe to assume that these four men are the bearers, or the male servants, of the wealthy British man that they are tending to. This photograph visually represents two, maybe even three, of the class levels that were prominent in 19th century India.

"Corilo" Banderillero

C.B. Waite photographed the ‘Corilo’ Banderillero in 1904 in Mexico. In English, “banderillero” means “bullfighter.” Pictured is a banderillero with his arms in the air, holding a banderilla, or small flag. Bullfighting, and other human vs. animal events are often linked to Rome and various Mediterranean countries. In Spain, bullfighting was used as entertainment for the king and his guests during times of celebration, and was later brought to Mexico by conquistadors. While it is a gruesome tradition, it has been linked to many religious festivals. The banderillero in the photograph is wearing elaborate, expensive looking clothing, which suggests that he is wealthy or that bullfighting is a respected sacred tradition. Because of the danger associated with bullfighting, it is possible that bullfighters earned a great deal of respect in society for their bravery.

 

 

Posted in Culture, Labor | Tagged #caste, #labor, banderillero, bullfighter, bullfighting, caste system, class, colonialism, Culture, India, Mexico, occupations, social inequality, social structure, spain, wealth

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