Feria del Rebozo: Ikat Traditions and Techniques

September 8-20, 2021

Summary

Our trip is scheduled around the Feria del Rebozo in Tenancingo, the rebozo mecca of Mexico, known for exquisite ikat (jaspe) dye resist rebozos. We enjoy this unique opportunity to see (& buy) the “best from the best” for our special collections. Of course, lovely “daily wear” rebozos will be abundant, as we scour the plaza for the ones that “speak to us”. For those who wish to do the FULL Rebozo Tour, we’ll continue to Michoacan to visit special rebozo weaving communities and to learn about the rebozo as an essential element of Purepecha dress. Then we’ll move to Santa Maria del Rio, famed for its silk rebozos de caramelo. Returning to Mexico City, we’ll stop in Atotonilco, on the outskirts of San Miguel de Allende.

Itinerary

 

Arrival Day, Mexico City: Wednesday, Sept. 8 (D)

Arrive to Mexico City (MEX) and transfer to our centrally located hotel in Mexico City’s Historic Center. Enjoy an orientation and welcome dinner together.

 

Day One: Thursday, Sept. 9, The Rebozo in Mexico City, Transfer to Tenancingo, Edo Mex (B, L, D)

Today begins with a stroll in Mexico City’s Historic Center, to learn about the history of the rebozo in the important city in Colonial and Present times.  We’ll pay a visit to the Patron Saint, “Nuestro Senor del Rebozo”, in the Church of Santo Domingo, to learn how the faithful offer their rebozos in hopes of healing and other petitions. After our visit, we’ll enjoy lunch in the Historic Center, before transferring to Tenancingo, Edo. Mex., epicenter of the cotton ikat rebozo. We’ll check into our charming hotel, and time permitting, take a stroll to the market. (if we do not get to the market today, we’ll return on another day). Tenancingo is in a fertile valley, so the produce here is exceptional. We’ll also begin to see the the permanent rebozo stalls, that sell daily and collection quality rebozos. We’ll enjoy a festive welcome dinner together.

• Explore relevant topics and sites in Historic Mexico City
• Learn about Nuestro Senor del Rebozo
• Enjoy lunch in the Historic Center of Mexico City
• Transfer to Tenancingo, take a stroll upon arrival
• Enjoy a Reception and Presentation on the Mexican Rebozo
• Welcome Dinner

 

Day Two: Friday Sept. 10, Visit Rebozo Workshops & Master Artisans (B, L)

This morning, we’ll visit the workshop of Fermin Escobar, who will help us understand the multiple steps that go into ikat rebozo thread preparation and weaving. Most of the work required to weave an ikat rebozo happens in the thread preparation phase. Fermin has 12 looms, so we have the opportunity to see a cottage industry approach to the production of rebozos. Then we’ll visit master Adolfo “Fito” Garcia, who has fewer looms, and is known as a creative master, designing with new colors and patterns for his rebozos. His wife Carmen travels to Toluca every week to sell rebozos.  After a fun regional lunch, we’ll visit the rebozo vendors in the permanent market. Evening is at leisure.

• Fermin Escobar Workshop
• Fito Garcia Workhop
• Delicious regional Lunch
• Visit rebozo vendors in the market
• Free Time

 

Day Three: Saturday, Sept. 11, Rebozo Feria, Afternoon Visit to Empuntadoras and Mezcal producers! (B, L)

The first half of the day is dedicated to attending the annual Rebozo Feria! All of the reboceros, the fringe makers (empuntadoras), local designers come out to showcase their traditional and innovative designs. Adapted products are also sold, such as: handbags, change purses, shoes, dresses and other items, that are very creative.  After we have fully scoured the Feria, we’ll travel to nearby San Pablo to pay a visit to the empuntadoras (fringe makers). They will show us the multiple techniques they use to complement the ikat rebozo. They are a big part of the rebozo story and end result. We’ll also visit an area mezcal producer. Surprise! Mezcal is not just from Oaxaca! In fact some states, such as Edo. Mex., Michoacan and others have excellent mezcal. Our evening is a leisure…perhaps to stargaze!

• Visit the annual Rebozo Feria!
• Travel to San Pablo to meet the empuntadoras (fringe artisans) and visit an amazing mezcal producer (tamales and mezcal included!)
• Evening at Leisure

 

Day Four: Sunday, Sept. 12, Last Visit Feria a.m., Visit Malinalco in the afternoon (B, L)

We’ll spend a little time attending either the Rebozo Feria, before traveling to the nearby town of Malinalco. It is a favorite place for “Chilangos” to go on the weekends, with it’s charming cobblestone streets, beautiful plaza, stunning murals in the Dominican convent, and for those who want to climb, a fantastic prehispanic site, of the extended Aztec empire. We’ll also visit the small but well done Museum there. In between our visits, we’ll enjoy lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Mexico! We’ll return to our hotel, and enjoy our own fashion show with our new treasures.

• One last visit to Rebozo Feria in the a.m.
• Travel to the charming, neighboring village of Malinalco!
• Lunch
• Return to Tenancingo, enjoy our own rebozo fashion show

 

Day Five: Monday, Sept. 13, Transfer to Michoacan, with a stop in Mazahua country (B, L, D)

Today we’ll make our way to Michoacan, where we’ll immerse in the world of the Purepecha and learn about the production and use of the rebozo in this singular region. En route, we’ve been invited to visit Mazahua women (textile artists and silver artisans). Arriving in Morelia, we’ll stroll in this lovely Colonial City, and enjoy a fun dinner together at our favorite Mezcaleria.

 

Day Six: Tuesday, Sept. 14, Transfer to Uruapan, Visit Angahuan (B, L)

Today we’ll enter the incredible “Meseta Purepecha” region of Michoacan. After checking into our centrally located hotel, we’ll drive through the Purepecha countryside, headed to Angahuan where we’ll meet some of the finest weavers of the brocade weave technique, all done on the backstrap loom. We’ll share a wonderful regional meal with the Purepecha women, likely corundas and declicious “churipo” stew. Returning to Uruapan, our evening is at leisure.

 

Day Seven: Wednesday, Sept.  15, Ahuiran and Aranza in Municipio de Paracho (B, L)

Today we’ll visit two communities with outstanding and very different weaving techniques. In Ahuiran, we’ll meet the artisans who, on backstrap looms, weave cotton cloth, typically in striped patterns. What makes their rebozos so singular and identifiable is the fringe. Bright rayon threads are tied into the open spaces of the knots to create beautiful and bright patterns. In Aranza, we’ll learn about the technique called “pataqua”, a form of complex gauze weave, done on a backstrap loom, where the weft thread wraps around the warp thread.

 

Day Eight: Thursday, Sept. 16, Eduardo Ruiz National Park, Transfer to Guanajuato (B, L)

After breakfast, we’ll visit the beautiful Eduardo Ruiz National Park, full of wild orchids and cascading waterfalls. It’s a lush and enchanting setting. With our bags already packed, we’ll begin our journey north. We’ll stop in La Piedad, Michoacan, to meet members of the Rebozo Cooperativa, and learn about how it was founded. We’ll be lead by master rebozero Vicente, who might just take us on one of his famous Tik Tok bike rides! Saying our goodbyes, we press on to Guanajuato for overnight there.

 

Day Nine: Friday, Sept. 17, Full day exploring Guanajuato (B, L)

Today, we’ll enjoy some fun and fascinating exploration of this important silver mining town. Diego Rivera’s family home is here, a fabulous mercado / market, meandering streets, strolling minstrels and more.

 

Day Ten: Saturday, Sept. 18, Santa Maria del Rio (B)

Today, we visit one of the most important rebozo producing centers of Mexico, Santa Maria del Rio. Here, we’ll visit the Escuela del Rebozo, and we will enjoy a demo and presentation by master rebocero Arturo Estrada. We’ll visit other reboceros, including the Rodriguez family, and we will also go to see where the Huerta family produces the lovely wood inlay boxes, that fine rebozos are often gifted in. When we’re finished, we’ll transfer to Atotonilco, Guanajuato.

 

Day Eleven: Sunday, Sept. 19, Atotonilco and San Miguel de Allende (B, L)

Today is dedicated to visiting the Sanctuario in Atotonilco, an important pilgrimage site. As many pilgrimage sites, they are overtop underground springs. It is here over these springs, that Prehispanic people honored their ancestors. The springs, like caves were portals to the underworld. As our charming hotel and hosts are next to Galleria Atotoniclo, we’ll visit Mayer Schecter, and important collector and purveyor of some of the finest crafts of Mexico. His Gallery is a destination experience. We’ll enjoy a farewell comida together. Overnight Atotonilco

 

Day Twelve: Monday, Sept. 20, Transfer for Flights Out: Mexico City or Leon Airport, or Extend in San Miguel de Allende or Mexico City (B)

Photos From This Tour