Hi I am Camila Torres Coto Aguilar
Camila is one of this year’s Ethnomad Ethnographic Explorers, bringing a unique blend of heritage and passion to her work. Born in the United States to Mexican parents, Camila’s journey is deeply rooted in her efforts to reconnect with her Mexican heritage and her growing interest in Indigenous agricultural systems. This connection has shaped her academic and professional ambitions.
Currently studying International Development at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland, Camila is preparing for an ethnographic journey to Sumatra, Indonesia, in partnership with "Cahaya Maritim, Indonesia". Her work will immerse her in the rich cultural tapestry of the matrilineal Minangkabau people, exploring their history, heritage, and unique societal structures. She will also focus on the Indigenous inhabitants of the Mentawai Islands, delving into their way of life, history, and heritage.
Camila’s exploration reflects Ethnomad’s mission to document, celebrate, and support cultural diversity. By working with the Minangkabau and Mentawai communities, she aims to uncover and share their stories, highlighting the resilience, traditions, and wisdom that define their ways of life.
My Fading Cultures Story
A Journey into the Field as an Ethnographer with Fading Cultures
I have only imagined the heat of Padang—stories from other fieldworkers paint it as an intense, all-encompassing presence, wrapping itself around you like the desert itself. After three years of study, reading, and preparing, I’m about to experience it firsthand. In just a few weeks, I will head to India with Fading Cultures, working with the traditional Minangkabau communities to document their stories, livelihoods, and ways of life. It will be my first real fieldwork experience, and though I feel ready, I know nothing can truly prepare me for what’s ahead.
The past few years have been spent buried in books, absorbing lessons from some of the greatest minds in anthropology. Bronisław Malinowski’s immersive approach to participant observation shaped my understanding of what it means to live among the people you study. Ruth Benedict and Margaret Mead taught me to look at culture as fluid and dynamic, shaped by histories, beliefs, and the constant pull between tradition and change. More recently, James Clifford’s work on ethnographic storytelling has helped me see fieldwork not just as research but as a way of amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. These thinkers have guided me this far, but now it’s time to step out of the pages and into the field.
Packing has been a challenge—balancing practicality with respect for local customs. Padang in April and May will be hot, quickly reaching 40°C (104°F), but modesty is key in the communities I will be working with. I have chosen light, breathable cotton kurtas and loose trousers to keep me covered but comfortable. A scarf is essential—not just for modesty but for dust, sun, and the unexpected. My notebook and camera are my lifelines, and a sturdy pair of sandals will carry me through village pathways and city streets alike.
This is more than a research trip—it’s an opportunity to learn, listen, and share stories that matter. Over the next few months, I’ll document my experiences in Indonesia, from the daily rhythms of tribal artisans and storytellers to the broader challenges these communities face in preserving their traditions. If you have ever been curious about what it means to live and work as an ethnographer, I’d love for you to follow my journey with Fading Cultures. The stories I find won’t just be mine to tell—they belong to the people I meet, and I hope you will join me in discovering them.