FELIPE HERNANDEZ

"ZAPOTEC WEAVING OF RUGS"

In the picturesque valleys of Oaxaca, few miles from the ancient Mayan Ruins of Mitla, lies the home of the Zapotec Indians. Weaving has been an essential part of their culture for thousands of years. For these Indians, survival is still dependent on what they grow and make with their hands.

Many of the geometric designs you'll see are found on the Mayan Ruins throughout Southern Mexico and Central America. Other designs are the traditional star crystal's woven by all the North American Indians, including the Hopi and the Navajo.

Weaving is intimately tied to the family unit, where everyone participates in the production process. The older women wash, card, and spin the wool into the fine diameter yarns used in the best contemporary Zapotec weavings. Sons and daughters begin weaving in their teenage years under the tutelage of their father who creates the designs and dyes for the unique palette that distinguishes the family's work. Because weaving is so tied to the family unit, the success of their weaving directly contributes to the maintenance of their distinct traditions and culture. Finally, the quality of these hand crafted textiles is testimony to the Zapotec Indians traditional culture and family cohesion, and serves as a reminder of the level of skill possessed by master craftsmen, a level that has by-and-large been lost to the steady march of "progress" in the United States today.

The Process: The process of hand making a Zapotec rug is time consuming and very elaborate. First the sheep is shaved and the wool is washed out at the nearest river. Once washed, it is then set out to dry with the heat of the sun. Carding the wool, straightening the raw fleece, aligning and finally softening it precede the process. This wool creates threads that are smooth and very resistant.

Natural Dyes: For the range of colors, natural and vegetable dyes are used as well as insect dyes such as the cochineal insect which produces red dyes. Other dyes come from indigo leaves for blue dyes, alfalfa leaves for green dyes, not tree bark for brown dyes, and pecan shells for tan dyes. Each Zapotec rug is made by hand and features a special design. This makes each and every rug a unique work of art that will only increase in value in years to come.