Quiea lliea beats: sacred elder mountain

Sold Out $ 5,000.00

Size: 60x100cm; 2x3ft

Weaver: Elia (mom) and Javier (son)

Materials and methods: criollo sheep wool hand dyed with natural dyes: Yagshií (seep willow), Yauhtli (tagetes lucida), Xiuhquilitl (indigo) Cempasuchitl (Marigold) and an aniline dye for bright green. 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.

Design, Patterns and Symbols.

This rug starts with a series of traditional mountain patterns that when woven symetrically tow in a row with one series of mountains upside down, it creates a double helix effect with the seeds of life woven in the middle; the idea here is that the land shape us in our DNA and spirit. The same moutain pattern is repeated in brown and green colors to show the main seasons that we go through in the central valley, our summers and autumn are wet and green while our winter and spring are the dry months, the eternal dance of duality. At this point Javier wove two giant cacti in a green hill wishing for greener months and a more resilient future.

There is a river pattern woven with indigo dyes at the foot hill fo the Sacred Mountain Lliea Beats (rocky brother mountain) known in spanish just a Picacho (little peak). This sacred peak is where our town was founded since the last melt of the ice age when the whole central valley was a lake and our ancestors arrived following signs of a Macaw bird that appeared from the sky among thunder, lightning and emerging from the pleiads. Rituals and ceremonies have been practiced on top of this sacred mountain evern since, these days we celebrate it on May 3rd when people climb up to the top to pray for the thunder storms and rains for the corn season ahead.

Causes.

Purchasing this rug helps Elia (who is a single mom) pay for Javier's school supplies.

Customize fringes.

Traditional: twisted into sturdy cordage.

Bundled: loosely knoted, boho style look.

Tucked in: a neat look and easy vacuuming.