Often, as we walk the streets of the Lakeside villages or drive along the road we see many people without really taking note that they are there. On the corner of Revolución and the Carretera in Ajijic, where the tianguis begins, almost every day you'll find a young artisan offering beautifully woven carpets. I am speaking of Francisco, the rug weaver. Many stop by to admire the work of the intricate designs found in his pieces. The colors are alive and the patterns range from antique Zapotec figures to contemporary designs.
Francisco actually is a Zapotec, they are a Mexican ancient tribe. Zapotecs populated most of the Oaxaca Valley with their villages whose labors were hunting, pottery and weaving. The actual Zapotecs are said to have come down from Monte Albán, the ancient city on the mountaintop. Currently, Zapotecs are the largest indigenous group in the country (500,000) and still keep their language, culture and beliefs.
Maguey is one of the most important, if not the most, of plants for the Zapotecs. It is also known as agave and century plant. It is used as food and to produce aguamiel, mescal and pulque (alcoholic beverages), vinegar and a sort of honey. They are used as fences for dividing fields, pastures and homes. It is used as fuel to feed fires, for making plates and platters, for making shoes and, most importantly to Francisco and his family, to extract the fiber, which is woven into thread to produce carpets and clothes. Researchers have found eight varieties of maguey, each is used for a specific purpose.
The process of making the thread is long and exhausting.
Threads are dyed with plants, flowers, mosses and woods. Zapotecs are one of the few remaining cultures in the world to complete the weaving process using only ancient and traditional methods and techniques without the intervention of any machinery or modern synthetic material.
First step is to get the wool from the ranchers who keep sheep. Then the wool must be usable, which means cleaning it of sticks, weeds, seeds from other fibers, and mud. When the wool is ready it is spun into a yarn. Then the wool must be dyed in large heated pots. The dye is absorbed by the fiber. After, the yarn is taken to a river to be washed in cold water.
Once the design and size have been decided, the weaver sets the yarn on his loom and the art of fabricating carpets begins. The final step is to display the finished work to the potential buyer.
To conclude with this brief explanation of Zapotec Weaving Art, I will extend Francisco's invitation to the public.
"When you stop to visit us, you must feel free to touch and admire the beauty of the work done by our family. I hope you will remember this bit of our history, and appreciate the skill and artistry of our work and the many hours involved in the creation of each piece. They are a part of our lives and of our joy. We are proud to share them with all the people of the world."
