Labor insertion in self-employed activities. Wixaritari and Mazahua migrants in Aguas calientes, Mexico, 1960-2020

Abstract

This is a qualitative study based on ethnography. Two different ways of putting into circulation the sociocultural resources that have allowed indigenous migrants to engage in commercial activities on their own since the 1960s in the state of Aguascalientes, Mexico are contrasted. It is verified that these activities have been initiated, sustained and reproduced by the Wixaritari and Mazahuas thanks to the relations of peasantry, kinship and compadrazgo, (camaraderie) based on trust, flexibility and the maintenance of relationship with their communities of origin, as well as a differentiated use of their identity attributes.