Zapotec Weaving in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca - México

If you are interested in the crafts and artisans of Mexico, Teotitlán del Valle, a small Mexican village near Oaxaca city is a must visit.

Teotitlán del Valle is known for Zapotec weaving, using traditional techniques, tools, dyes, and patterns.

We were able to watch and learn about the whole process at Casa Don Juan and I’ll tell you what, the art of natural dye is impressive and so is the weaving and machines used to produce these beautiful pieces.

From woven clothing to traditional wool rugs, you’ll find It all in this community.

There is roughly 400,000 Zapotecs, known as the “cloud people”, around Mexico, but they once mostly inhabited the Valley of Oaxaca, where they built ancient cities such as Monte Alban and Mitla.

Preparing the yarn
Most pieces are made from wool - sheep, yak and alpaca but historically agave fibre and cotton were also used. To prepare the yarn the wool is brushed using paddles with wire prongs to get the fibres all laying in the same direction. Once it’s been throughly brushed it is spun on a wheel into a usable yarn.

Natural dye process
The bundles of spun yarn are dyed using a mixture of plants, minerals and bugs, including marigolds, indigo and cactus parasites. After dying the yarn is washed in the river to ensure the colour doesn’t run on the final piece.

No two batches will every be the exact same colour adding to the beauty of this technique.

Weaving
The majority of this town works in the weaving industry and families usually form co-ops working on their pieces in their own homes but selling them from a central location. Each family or co-op has their own style, process and patterns when it comes to weaving, although they use Zapotec symbols, each with their own meaning, the way they are put together is unique - the patterns are kept on their memory and passed through generations.
Popular Zapotec weaving symbols used in the patterns are:

Zapotec Star
The four points of the diamond represent elements of earth, air, water and fire.

Mountains
A reminder of the transition of the Zapotec through the mountains, all of them sacred.

Rain water
One of the most vital elements for the sustenance of life. Signifies renewal, fertility and change.

Cycle of life
The geometric spiral represents the life cycle according to the Zapotec worldview.

Each step represents a stage of life, beginning at birth and moving through youth, maturity and then decay, followed by the other world.

Clouds
Zapotec Indians are known as people of the clouds.

Agave
The agave or the maguey as it’s locally known is integral to the central valleys of Oaxaca.

Both wild and cultivated, this plant offers sweet nectar that can be enjoyed as is or fermented into the local alcohol, mezcal.

Leaves
Leaves of life are collected and help with health, respect, purity and healing.

Butterfly
The butterfly represents the spirit of the ancestors. When someone dies the spirit becomes a butterfly.

The whole process is time consuming but the finished product is not only beautiful but also help to preserve the Zapotec tradition, culture and history.

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Thanks to Casa Don Juan Zapotec Weaving for showing us around. Follow their work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casadonjuanzapotecweavings/?hl=en

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