Duuv chiriu'u Gubiísh: Agave sunset

Size: 90x150cm 

Materials and methods: criollo sheep and merino wool hand dyed with natural dyes: Bèé (cochineal), Yauhtli (Tagetes Lucida) and Xiuhquilitl (indigo) . 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. 
Weaver: Jose Luis Lazo, 12 years old, this is his first rug!

People often ask if we are preserving the weaving tradition in our village; here is the proof! I am happy to say that in spite of industrialization and globalization, our  young generations still want to learn how to weave while attending school and getting bachelors and higher education degrees. Weaving is part of our identity as a community of Benizaa, cloud people, that have kept this tradition alive for more than 10,000 years, at least!

Design, patterns and symbols. 

Jose Luis sketched his own rug and used natural dyed yarns that his dad had left over from other projects. He is learning the basic geometric compositions with the triangle so he used the symbol of the agave pattern extended all the way to the edges. He also included the motif that represetns the butterfly of winsdom and love. Agave is a sacred plant that bestows many gifts to humanity, one of the very first gifts was thread for making cordage and rope so it is a great sign that Jose Luis picked up this pattern for his first full size rug!  Luis's dad, is Luis Lazo, a cousin of mine, he is a well renowned and price awarded weaver recognized nationally and internationally, he and his wife dyed the yarn and guided Jose Luis on making his first full size rug. 

Causes. 
Jose Luis is taking classes on Zoom and wants to save part of the proceeds from this rug to buy himself a laptop that he can use for school. 



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