The three sister seeds and a brother

$ 60,000.00

Size: 250x350cm; 8.2x11.4 ft

Weaver: Familia Gutierrez

Materials and methods: Fine merino and angora blend yarns for the gray background color and criollo sheep wool for the red details. Hand dyed with aniline dyes in an exhaust method for color fastness. Handwoven on a Zapotec style loom of the 16th century adapted from European styles. Woven using a 7 threads per inch reed and wool rayon blend for warp.

Patterns and symbols. This rug depits the three sister seeds (corn, beans and squash) that make the milpa system along with amanth (the brother). The milpa system is the foundation of our culture; in fact, the growth cycle of corn dictates a lof of the festivals that happen throughout the year. For example, we finish planting the milpa around the second week of July, which is when the Guelaguetza festival happens in the sacred hill of Lua' (Oaxaca city), the pollinating of corn and the formation of grains is also celebrated in September and October respectively and lastly, when the corn is ready to be harvested, it is celebrated as part of the festival of day of the dead.