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International Indigenous Day

August 9, 2008 at 7:28 am
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Tagged back strap loom, indigenous, mexico, san cristobal de las casas, weavers

Today is the International Indigenous Day in Mexico. A country populated by millions of native Americans, who speak more than 68 different languages.

Last month I visited Chiapas, the southernmost state in Mexico, and went to several communities in the region to collect textiles. My friend from Cancun had asked me to accompany her on a drive to San Cristobal de las Casas. She was going to see a family of weavers in San Andres Larrainzar who had created some items for her.

The afternoon I spent in the backyard of the weaver Francisca Perez Gomez, was one of the high points of my life. The yarn that she’d dyed herself; the embroidered huipils, or blouses, that she’d woven on the back strap loom were dazzlingly beautiful.

Here is the link to my album of Chiapas photos

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