Textile Traditions: Guerrero, Oaxaca & Isthmus, January 2022

Textile Traditions: Guerrero, Oaxaca & Isthmus

January 7 – 15, 2022 (8 Nights)

Private Group Departure

Ask us about our Private Group Departures!

 

Summary:

On this journey, we explore the multiple ethnic communities of Oaxaca (and Guerrero) to learn of their cultural and ethnic expressions in dress and textiles. From the Amuzgo in Guerrero to the Mixtec, Huave, Zapotec in Oaxaca we will readily see how textile traditions and dress are a cultural passport and unique expression of the women (and some men) who live in this region. We will learn of the fibers, such as coyuche cotton and natural dye sources, such as Purpura Pansa, indigo and cochineal. This is an extraordinary close up journey into the communities where we meet the people and artisans who create visual masterpieces and maintain their cultural heritage. Join us!.

isthmus

 

Trip Highlights:

  • Learn of Indigenous Textile Traditions of Oaxaca including: Amuzgo, Mixteco, Zapoteco & Huave.
  • Travel to Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero to meet the finest Amuzgo weavers.
  • Meet weavers & coops in remote communities of Pinotepa de Don Luis & San Juan Colorado to learn of their unique traditions in weaving and dress.
  • Meet Mixteco weavers in Huazolotitlan and Jamiltepec where we see how dress is a cultural passport.
  • Travel with the purpura pansa dyers of the coast to see how they extract this scarce purple dye.
  • Learn about the history and evolution of “traje” from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
  • Learn of the various embroidery techniques in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

textiles of oaxaca

Trip Includes:

  • Accommodations
  • Expert Guides and/or Academics
  • Comfortable / Secure Transportation
  • Welcome and Farewell Dinners
  • Breakfasts
  • Meals according to itinerary
  • Water on Van/Coach
  • Entry Fees

cochinilla

cochinilla

 

Itinerary

 

Pre-Arrival: Thursday, Jan. 6 

If you’d like an extra day in Acapulco, schedule your arrival for today. The hotel is not included, but we’ll make the arrangements.

 

Day One: Arrival Day: Friday, Jan. 7 Arrive Acapulco, Dinner included (D)

Arriving to the Acapulco airport (ACA) you will take the airport transportation to our hotel: the famed and legendary Las Brisas. Think pink jeeps! This was the hotel of the movie stars, back in the day, in the 1950’s / 1960’s­. We’ll meet in the lobby to go to dinner at another famed and legendary restaurant, Susana Palazuelos’s Zibu, overlooking the Acapulco Bay. We will time our dinner to enjoy the singular sunset; one that was painted in its multiple manifestations by Diego Rivera in his later years. Return to Hotel and Overnight Hotel Las Brisas Acapulco, Included: Hotel and Dinner

 

Day TWO: Saturday, Jan. 8, Fuerte San Diego Acapulco, Transfer to Ometepec (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we’ll visit the Museo Fuerte San Diego. Here, we’ll learn about the fascinating history of the Manila Galleon and the trade that transformed Asia and the Americas, plying trade for over 250 years between Manila and Acapulco. After our visit, we’ll begin our journey on the Coast of Guerrero, making our way to Ometepec. En route, we’ll stop for a delicious seafood lunch.  Overnight Ometepec, Guerrero (B, L, D)

 

Day THREE: Sunday, Jan. 9, Ometepec Market-Xochistlahuaca (B, L)

This morning we’ll make a brief stop in the Ometepec market, before continuing to Xochistlahuaca, home of the famed Amuzgo weavers. Arriving in “Xochis”, we’ll stroll in their Sunday “tianguis” market before meeting with the cooperative members from La Flor de Xochistlahuaca and Flores de la Llanura, to see their weavings and learn about the techniques and materials (native cottons, natural dyes, brocade weaving and gaza weaving). Overnight Ometepec, Guerrero (B, L)

 

 Day FOUR: Monday, Jan. 10, Xochis, Cuaji to Pinotepa de Don Luis, San Juan Colorado (B, L)

Today, we say goodbye to Xochis and continue our journey, traveling towards Oaxaca. En route, we’ll make a quick stop at the Afro-Descendent Museum in Cuajicuinilapa, Guerrero, to learn about the history of the African presence in Mexico and in this region. We’ll then visit the two Mixtec towns in Oaxaca: Pinotepa de Don Luis and San Juan Colorado.  Overnight Pinotepa Nacional (B, L)

 

Day FIVE: Tuesday, Jan. 11, Huazolotitlan-Jamiltepec-Puerto Escondido (B, L)

Today, we make our way to Puerto Escondido. We make stops in two communities: Huazolotitlan and Jamiltepec, to learn about their unique textile traditions and styles that identify the women of these communities. Arriving in Puerto Escondido, we’ll check into the Hotel Santa Fe, enjoy lunch overlooking the ocean. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, to walk along the beach, relax at the hotel or visit the Manialtepec Lagoon. Overnight Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido (B, L)

 

Day SIX: Wednesday, Jan. 12, San Agustin, Caracol Purpura Dye Demo (B, L)

This morning we leave early, to arrive to the Bajia de San Agustin, to catch the low tide. Today is the day we will witness one of the great relationships between biology and culture, the “milking” of the caracol purpura mollusk to obtain the revered purple dye. The Mixtec dyers are the only people authorized to engage in this sustainable activity. The purple threads have been woven into the women’s pozahuanco wrap skirts for thousands of years. Overnight Huatulco (B, L)

 

Day SEVEN: Thursday, Jan. 13, San Mateo del Mar, Tehuantepec (B, L, D)

 

Today we leave the Coast and continue to a singular and the narrowest region of Mexico: Isthmus of Tehuantepec. On a map, you can see why it’s called Mexico’s waistline! It’s only 90 miles across from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. Sometimes the “norte” winds blow fierce.  Hence, many wind generators!  The beauty and mystique of the Istmena women have captured the imagination of many artists and poets. Their dress style is often associated with Frida Kahlo, as she frequently wore Istmena dress. Her mother Matilde was from here.

First will stop in San Mateo del Mar, home to the ikoots or huave people. They weave very charming brocade cloth on a backstrap loom. Arriving in Tehuantepec, we’ll have lunch, visit the market, then rest up before our fun evening, enjoying a fashion show of Isthmus dress, followed by a reception and dancing to the regional tune, La Zandunga. Overnight Hotel Cali, Tehuantepec (B, L, D)

 

Day EIGHT: Friday, Jan. 14, Juchitan (B, L)

On our second day in the Isthmus, we’ll visit the region of Juchitan, visiting an embroidery school in the town of Asuncion Ixtaltepec. We’ll learn about the school and their initiatives to revive the cadenilla style of machine embroidery. We’ll enjoy a light lunch, before going to the recently renovated market in Juchitan. Returning to our hotel, we can rest, relax and take a swim in the hotel pool. Overnight Hotel Cali, Tehuantepec (B, L)

 

 Day NINE: Saturday, Jan. 15, End of Guerrero / Oaxaca Trip (B)

 

Group will transfer to Oaxaca City

 

 

 

 

 

Photos From This Tour

agave

cochinilla

cochinilla2

inking

coloring

staining

explanation

dining

spinning

natural-colors

shopping

fiber

empanadas

extracting

beach

frida

monte-alban

muches

tecas


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