LAADI
Those interested in crafts
will find dozens of family workshops open to the public.
A historical note -- weaving in this village dates to 500 BC. The
earliest weavings used cotton and ixtle and utilized the backstrap
loom. Teotitlán would pay its tribute to the Aztecs
in weavings.
Today's weavers use treadle looms introduced by the Dominicans.
The fabric of choice is wool. This is due to the introduction of
sheep in the valley by Juan López de Zárate in the
1500s.
More than 100 workshops showcase a large selection
of handmade products, including rugs, jackets, ponchos and dresses.
A few weavers are reviving the use of natural dyes including indigo
and cochineal and brazilwood.
Designs include traditional Zapotec glyphs as well as imported
Navajo art and reproductions of famous paintings by Picasso and
Escher.
WEAVERS
There are about 150 families who specialize in weaving. See the
process from carding wool to natural dyes to weaving. Here's our
directory
of weavers.
CANDLE MAKERS
There are about seven families who specialize in candle-making
(velas de concha). Here's our directory.
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
COMMUNITY MUSEUM - Across from the town's craft market is
one of the finest community museums in Mexico.
Opened in 1995 Balla Xtee Guedchi Gulal has exhibitions featuring
archaeological finds, crafts and traditional weddings. Signage appears
in English, Spanish and Zapotec. There is a small admission fee
and no picture taking is permitted inside. Phone: 524-4463
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - One the major celebrations
is the Guyach, simply "dance" in Zapotec that commemorates
the conquest battles between the Spaniards and the Aztecs.
This dance is performed during the Fiesta of the Precious Blood
of Christ the first Wednesday of July (with the proviso that when
the first Wednesday is July 1st or 2nd, festivities are conducted
the second Wednesday of the month). Dancers (danzantes)
wear elaborate headdresses fashioned from painted feathers, which
gives the event its name in Spanish, Danza de la Pluma.
The week-long celebration includes carnival rides and a basketball
tournament.
CHURCHES - The Precious Blood of Christ Church (Preciosa
Sangre de Cristo) was completed in 1751 and is considered a
prime example of colonial architecture. Pilgrims take note of the
Capilla del Cristo Grande located in a private home on Aquiles Serdan
#4.
MEXICAN BIRDS
Bird-watchers flock to this community to see the avine species
at the local dams.
To see the birds, head north a mile to the Piedra Azul Dam at the
foothills of El Picacho. During the rainy months, the Benito Juárez
Dam fills to the east. Winter months (November-March) are the best
time to see migratory birds, including herons and kingfishers.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Evidence shows signs of Olmec
visitation (circa 500 BC) and impressive glyphs are displayed in
the community museum. An archaeological zone is located to the side
of the church.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT CORN
According to researchers corn
was domesticated in the region between Oaxaca and Puebla.
A full-day celebration of corn (Lani Xte Llub) is organized by
the Zapotec cultural group Bali and the community museum. Event
slogan: 'El Maíz, fuente de vida desde nuestros ancestros
hasta hoy en dia.' (poster)
ZAPOTEC LANGUAGE
The community museums sells a visual dictionary, Diccionario
Illustrado en el Zapoteco de Teotitlán del Valle.
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