A woven belt with cactus fibers carefully threaded into leather to make intricate patterns, called piteado. An ornate cattleman’s outfit embroidered with gold-colored thread. A multicolor dress, telling the story of global cultural exchange in a mash of influences.
These pieces of finery from the Mexican equestrian practice of charrería are the focus of a traveling exhibit on view at the Lane County History Museum. The outfits and accessories were lent by Oregon charros — Mexican horsemen — to travel across the state and teach Oregonians about the history behind the tradition.
The exhibit, which comes to Eugene after a stop in Salem, is from Comunidad y Herencia Cultural, the local nonprofit organization dedicated to Mexican culture that hosts an annual summer Noche Cultural celebration in Springfield.
“It is especially important to share it and to encourage the younger generations to learn and experience and participate as a way of exploring their own identity, especially in the Eugene-Springfield area, which are predominantly white communities,” said Antonio Huerta, the director of Comunidad y Herencia Cultural…