Zapotec Wool Rugs

If you are interested in these all wool rugs from the Zapotec tribe please email us and we can send you photos of our current stock!

The Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico have been weaving textiles for over 2,000 years.  The tiny remote town of Teotitlan del Valle is the center of the Zapotec weaving tradition and one of many indigenous communities in the state of Oaxaca.  Teotitlan has a pre-Hispanic weaving tradition and is world famous for its fine tapestries and wall hangings.  The Zapotecs of Teotitlan de Valle are respected for their determination to maintain their traditional culture while adapting to the realities of the modern world.  Many of the town's inhabitants continue the same weaving practices used for generations.  The wool is dyed with the same natural dyes that their ancestors used, the deep indigo blues and bright cochineal reds, are derived from plants, minerals and insects.  Both men and women card, spin and dye the wool and families typically pass on their weaving skills and particular styles to their children. The beautiful colors, patterns and designs created by the Zapotecs are a unique mixture of cultural tradition, family innovation, and artistic exploration.