Barbies inspired by Mexican culture are the subject of controversy for the high price of the Day of the Dead doll

The Day of the Dead is a very celebrated date in countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. On the 2nd of November (a date which, by the way, coincides with All Souls’ Day in Brazil) people honor those who are no longer with us. It was with this celebration in mind that the company Mattel, the manufacturer of Barbie, decided to launch a characteristic edition of the doll dressed in black with a wreath of flowers and make-up in the style of ‘La Catrina’.

Today the awesome.club brings a list of Barbies that were released to represent Mexican culture. At the end, we bring you a bonus with dolls created with typical costumes from other countries — including one from Brazil.

In 2014, Mattel released an edition of the famous doll with the traditional mariachi outfit: jacket, long pants, black hat with gold embroidery, a pink tie and black high boots. The company was convinced that this would be a very special way of honoring Mexican traditions.

As part of the ‘Women who inspire’ edition, already announced here on the site, Mattel launched a Frida Kahlo Barbie, one of the most emblematic and important figures in the history of Mexico. However, the doll generated a great controversy and the Frida Kahlo Corporation and Mattel ended up meeting in court. The winner was Mara Romeo, grandniece and universal heiress of the painter. The court’s decision determined that the product could not be sold in the Aztec country.

In 2004, for an edition of ‘Princesses of the World’, Mattel presented the Barbie of Old Mexico. What stands out most about this doll are the details of the pre-Hispanic jewels and her cotton outfit, decorated with feathers.

May 5th is a very important date for Mexicans: it is when they commemorate the Battle of Puebla, the first victorious confrontation of the Mexican army against foreigners, specifically France. Mattel decided to honor the event by releasing a doll dressed in a white costume with red and green details.

This controversial doll was recently released as a tribute to the Day of the Dead, celebrated on November 2nd. It is a Barbie with a black dress, details of flowers and make-up in the style of the skull ‘La Catrina’ – representation of the skeleton of a high society lady created by the Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada. The controversy occurred because people considered the doll a cultural appropriation, mainly because it was sold for approximately 300 reais.

In 2013, a doll with a typical Mexican costume was presented. She also caused trouble because she was carrying a Chihuahua dog and a passport, objects that were received as an offence. The brand manifested itself with the argument that all copies of the ‘100 Barbie Dolls in the World’ edition came with a travel document and a pet.

Do you consider that there is some kind of cultural appropriation in the release of these dolls? What did you think of Barbie from Day of the Dead? And the others? Share your opinion in the comments.