Selling strategies and social relations among mobile Maya handicrafts vendors

Abstract

Mobile retailers (peddlers) that sell handicrafts to tourists are commonly found in many tourism locations throughout the world. In this article, I discuss the vending practices and social relations of primarily female ambulantes (mobile Maya handicrafts vendors) within economic and political contexts of Antigua, Guatemala. I argue that continued participation in the tourism market is not solely dependent on sales, but on the social relations that ambulantes maintain with each other and on the political contexts in which they sell. Finally, I contend, aside from the chance to make a significant amount of money, the social networks and social relations practiced by female ambulantes can have a positive effect on their lives.

Citation

Little, W.E. (2002), "Selling strategies and social relations among mobile Maya handicrafts vendors", Research in Economic Anthropology (Research in Economic Anthropology, Vol. 21), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 61-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0190-1281(02)21004-5