THE CALANDRIAS, LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION AND TAPATIA MEMORY

Abstract

This article explores the relevance of calandrias, traditional horse-drawn carriages, in the construction of landscape and Guadalajara’s collective memory. Despite the introduction of the automobile at the beginning of the 20th century, accusations of animal abuse, and attempts to replace the calandria with electric vehicles in recent years, these carriages have endured as a heritage element that offers tourists a nostalgic trip through the city. The coachmen, with their stories and experiences, not only show the city to visitors, but also appropriate the urban space, weaving narratives that feed the collective memory and highlight the beauty and history of the city. They make use of the sites but also the smells and sounds to orient themselves and enrich their narratives. These elements, together with the rich oral tradition of the coachmen, contribute to an intimate and personal experience of the urban environment. The study methodology for this article is based on epistemology of the known subject, using field observation and semi-structured interviews with experienced coachmen, allowing an understanding of how these workers appropriate space and contribute to the memory of the city.