Chiapas Textiles Arts and Crafts Tour
- Shila Desai
- Mar 4, 2023
- 2 min read
Sit back and enjoy photos from our October tour
Visiting Mexico's bastion of indigenous culture is a like going back in time and moving forward in the same parallel. On the one hand indigenous lifestyles, textiles, folk arts, and language are preserved almost intact. On the other, they are preserved because of tenacity and resourcefulness through contemporary means.
The world's indigenous peoples can learn many lessons from Chiapas. The 1994 indigenous conflict in Chiapas not only provoked a domestic awareness of indigenous rights, recognition and self-determination, but also an international awakening on these issues.
Travellers are drawn to Chiapas for this duality in tradition and innovation. Weavers turn out exquisite woven textiles on the backstrap loom in use since antiquity. The same weavers form strong collectives to market their product on the world stage and support each other. Almost every family practises milpa: cultivation of beans, maize, and squash since ancient civilizations. Yet the NAFTA attempt, amongst other grievances, at replacing indigenous maize with GMO versions met with the Zapatista uprising. There are countless examples of solidarity in the face of the relentless bulldozer of change.
We struck deep into Chiapas. There was no better person to guide us than Chloë Sayer. Here’s a photographic journal of our explorations. For captions, hover cursor over photos.
Textiles in every design, composition, and colour. Many are natural dyed, woven with incredible precision and artistry on the backstrap loom. We visited Magdalena Aldama, San Pedro Chenalho, San Andrés Larráinzer among other villages.
Pride in dress and grooming Sublime weaving, Alberto Gomez Huipils, every design, colour Marta's masterpiece Meditative Museum, San Cristobal Feathers for warmth, woven in Guided visit, Museum Director Huipil, Museum San Cristobal
Arts and crafts ranging from ceramics and beads to paper and lacquerware. Palenque, Amatenango de Valle, San Cristobal, and Chiapa de Corzo
Mask, Palenque site museum Pottery making, Amatenango Natural dyed paper, prints Ceramic candleholders Gourd, lacquered Festival embroidery Beaded shoulder covering Prepping for Paraschicos With Umberto Spindola
We joined in the observing the deeply moving Dias de los Muertos. Bedecked village cemeteries and acts of worship and love welcomed back the cherished dead. Meanwhile Mexico City partied.
Dias de los Muertos ready Zincantan cemetary Paying homage Offerings, Zincantan Church, Zincantan Church, San Chamula San Chamula Winged prayers Meanwhile back in Mex City
Through Chloë, met living legends and luminaries. Most popular were evening lectures by Chloe. She generously shared her insight of Maya history, architecture, textiles, arts and crafts.
Chloe with Pedro Meza Meza Evening lectures With Carol Karasic Director, Taller Lañateros Alberto Lopez Gomez, Kuxulpok In her element
Our travels spanned from the traditional to ultra contemporary
San Cristobal de las Casas Traditional to contemporary Local markets Chiapa de Corzo San Cristobal, festival on Markets First glimpse San Cristobal Museum of Anthropology Ultra chic, modern
Accommodations are always a highlight!
Historic hotel in SC Our first halt, San Cristobal Warming Greenhouse hotel Spaces Vignettes
Delving deep into Maya historical sites . . . spectacular Bomampak, Palenque. Also Olmec civilisation.
Palenque K'inich Janaab Pakal On the trail of Red Queen Tomb, Red Queen Beautiful Bonampak Stunning Bonampak mural Olmec sculpture Bonampak vista Red Queen
As always . . . the people! The food! Unforgettable.
Smiles everywhere Village welcome, chilly day Amatenango de Valle duo Meal with local family Birds eye view Maya cuisine, re-envisioned Mother and baby Waiting in the wings Nourishment Fresh, everyday Artisans in village Trajinera . . . Salud!
Wonderful group at Colectivo Kibeltik, where we enjoyed a weaving demo and a hearty bowl of squash soup. Great shopping too!
Accolades: A wonderful variety of awesome experiences. Want to go back again! " -Brenda G.
Thanks for a truly great trip with you wonderful people" - Suzi Click, L.A
We will do it all over again soon. Join us! For advance registration, contact me.
Thanks for taking a look! I am Shila Desai, owner of E.Y.H.O. Tours. I personally handcraft itineraries, infusing them with curated activities, accommodations, and sightseeing. Together with my in-country teams, we deliver exceptional holidays every time. I invite you to leave me a comment or write shila@eyhotours.com
Comments