Today, August 9, is International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, so designated by the United Nations. This year’s focus is on the right to education — a timely and white-hot issue in Oaxaca and several of the other Mexican states with significant indigenous populations. I can think of no better way to honor the day and native peoples worldwide, than to share yesterday’s adventure in the Zapotec village of Teotitlán del Valle.
As I previously mentioned, in my endeavor to single-handedly boost the local economy, I commissioned the weaving of a tapete (rug) from my friend, Samuel Bautista Lazo’s family business, Dixza Rugs. The design is a Tree of Life, with a light moss green background. Thus, yesterday, led by Sam, we (a young Aussie fellow staying at the family’s Airbnb, blogger buddy Chris, and I) ventured out near the far end of the village dam to gather yagshī, the plant to be used to dye wool the desired color.
Sam is explaining that his mother wants the young bright green shoots for the dye bath, as she wasn’t at all satisfied with the color the older leaves yielded.
Sam, about to hand off a bundle of yagshī to me to put on our pile.
Into the cauldron of hot water, it went. That’s Sam’s tiny powerhouse mother, Leonor Lazo González. She was making that face because the smoke from the hardwood fire below really stung the eyes.
Like strands of spaghetti, into the yagshī dye bath, the lana (wool) yarn went.
Now you see Sam, now you don’t!
Leonor stirring the pot.
Leonor measuring the weight of the alum mordant to be used to set the dye. Yes, she’s using a tortilla press as a table.
Sam adding the alum (dissolved in water) to the pot.
Pasta al pesto? The yarn will marinate in the dye bath overnight.
Mom knows best and seemed to be pleased with the day’s results!
Sam is a very smart guy and has a Ph.D. in Sustainable Manufacturing from the University of Liverpool. However, being schooled in the traditions, language, and Zapotec way of knowing by his parents, grandparents, and elders of the community is an education that is just as valuable and should never be lost.
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