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Weaving a Future Weaving a Future A case study on the valuation of Fair Trade among female handicraft producers in Peru and Bolivia Wageningen University – Department of Social Sciences MSc Thesis Sociology of Development and Change Weaving a Future A case study on the valuation of Fair Trade among female handicraft producers in Peru and Bolivia November 2016 MSc program Name of student: International Development Studies Merel Haverhals Specialisation: Name of Supervisor: Sociology of Development and Change dr. A.M.G. Arce Thesis code: Name of Second Assessor: SDC-80433 dr.ir. G.M. Verschoor 2 © 2016 Merel Haverhals ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3 DISCLAIMER This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sciences, International Development Studies at the Chair Group Sociology of Development and Change, Wageningen University and Research Centre. The author declares that this thesis is original work except where stated. This declaration constitutes an assertion that full and accurate references and citations have been included for all material contributing to this thesis. All pictures in this document are taken with consent from the people that appear in them. Each of them granted the author permission to use their picture for publication purposes. The author authorizes Wageningen University and Research Centre to make this master thesis available for consultation purposes. 4 Abstract The aim of this thesis is to gain insight into the valuation of Fair Trade among female handicraft producers in Peru and Bolivia. An ethnographic approach was applied to explore local experiences and meaning making in the light of commoditization processes of the handicraft. Four sites in Peru, and one in Bolivia, served as main locations for observations, group-discussions and qualitative interviews. The ‘logic of diversion’ (Appadurai, 1986) provided the bases for a theoretical discussion on the transformation of materiality and its investment with a new range of social, aesthetic, cultural and economic value. To gain an understanding of women’s changing social realities, including notions of empowerment, production and consumption were linked through the interplay between objects and identities. Focusing on the process of interaction between producers, consumers, Fair Trade Organizations and handicrafts, the creation of relationships (with both human and non-human actors) and transformations among women’s livelihoods were brought to the fore. It becomes clear that through FT, an economic niche is created where objects incorporate both commercial and social value, based on criteria of ‘authenticity’ that are only imperfectly translatable into market prices. These findings are significant as they help us move beyond neoliberal representations of development. Key words: Fair Trade, artisans, women, empowerment, commoditization, handicraft, authenticity 5 To my partner, best friend, and favorite person in the world Thank you for giving me the wings “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it” J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan 6 Acknowledgements Starting this research project more than three years ago, I had no idea what was in store for me. Venturing out on my own marked the beginning of a personal adventure that opened the door to a whirlwind of emotions I had been carrying with me for a long time. Going through this intense period, I fought my way out of a deep low and ended up in the light at the end of the tunnel. I am so very grateful to all the people who supported me over the course of this period, you have no idea how crucial this has been for me. Let me begin by thanking my supervisor, Alberto Arce. From the very start you have been there to guide me through the research process. When I was overwhelmed, stuck or lost, you provided me with a way out. You inspired me to work hard and push forward, even when doubts took over. During all the turbulence in my life, you were there to support me and patiently wait while I made my way back. Thank you for your empathy and endless understanding, but most of all, thank you for believing in me. I want to thank all the families in Peru and Bolivia who opened their houses to me during my fieldwork period. In Cochabamba, Bolivia, Edmundo took me in as his own and made me feel loved and appreciated from the very moment I stepped in. His daughter Yara taught me that strength and courage can overcome life’s greatest obstacles. In Ollantaytambo, Peru, both families I stayed with welcomed me as their guest and made sure I wasn’t short on anything. In Patacancha, two families humbly shared their house and food with me, and let me be part of some intimate family moments. In Bolivia, Ricardo guided me through El Alto, and Fanny would cook the most beautiful dishes for me. Both Awamaki and Ayni Bolivia have proven to be very helpful in connecting me to different groups of female artisans, I am very appreciative of their support. I furthermore want to mention the volunteers I had the pleasure of working with in Peru. You created a home for me in a strange place and our discussions brought more depth to my experiences in the field. A big thank you to my parents for giving me the opportunity to undertake this adventure and their encouragement and patience along the way. And to my in-laws for the countless meals they prepared for us, the hours of babysitting, and just for being there. Finally, thank you to the person who never let me give up the fight, who saw me when I lost sight of myself, and who inspires me to aim for the stars. 7 Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................................5 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................................7 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................................... 10 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1 Fair Trade, women and handicrafts ......................................................................................................... 11 1.2 Problem statement .................................................................................................................................. 13 1.3 Introduction to the research analysis ...................................................................................................... 14 1.4 Objective of the research project & research questions ......................................................................... 15 1.5 Structure thesis........................................................................................................................................ 16 2. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.1 Qualitative research methods ................................................................................................................. 17 2.1.1 Literature study ............................................................................................................................... 18 2.1.2 Participant observations .................................................................................................................. 18 2.1.3 Interviews (single & group) ............................................................................................................. 18 2.1.4 Focus group discussions .................................................................................................................. 19 2.1.5 Visual material (photos & videos) ................................................................................................... 19 2.2 Qualitative data analysis ......................................................................................................................... 19 2.3 Fieldwork sites ......................................................................................................................................... 20 2.3.1 Patacancha, Peru ............................................................................................................................. 22 2.3.2 Huilloc, Peru..................................................................................................................................... 22 2.3.3 Puente Inca, Peru ............................................................................................................................ 23 2.3.4 Rumira, Peru .................................................................................................................................... 23 2.3.5 El Alto, La Paz, Bolivia ...................................................................................................................... 23 2.4 Fair Trade Organizations.......................................................................................................................... 24 2.4.1 Awamaki, Ollantaytambo, Peru ....................................................................................................... 24 2.4.2 Ayni Bolivia, La Paz, Bolivia .............................................................................................................
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