Feria del Rebozo: Ikat Traditions and Techniques

September 2023

This trip can be offered as a FULL Rebozo Tour, in Mexico City, Tenancingo and Michoacan (Long Version)

Or for the Rebozo Feria in Tenancingo! (Short Version)

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 and purchase collection quality rebozos, as well as the lovely and comfortable ones for daily wear.  We will meet numerous artisans and begin to see the designs each is most known for.  After Tenancingo, we’ll continue to Michoacan to visit special rebozo weaving communities and to learn about the rebozo as an essential element of the ethnographic Purepecha dress.

Itinerary

 

Day One: Meet at TLC, Toluca Airport, Transfer to Tenancingo, Explore Market! (L, D)

Today we’ll begin by visiting the wonderful market in Tenancingo to view their amazing produce, as they are located in a lush and very fertile valley. Also, we will have our first introduction to the ikat rebozo, by visiting some of the very savvy (they know how to combine the fringe with the ikat), market vendors. We have our favorites, and will take you there! We will enjoy a delicacy of the region, “tlacoyos” which are thick maza torpedo shapes, filled with broad beans, beans, or cheese. YUM! We’ll relax at our hotel before having a fun meal, later in the evening.

Day Two:  Visit Rebozo Workshops & Master Artisans and Feria! (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 Feria. Evening is at leisure.

• Fermin Escobar Workshop
• Fito Garcia Workshop
• Delicious regional Lunch
• Visit rebozo Feria
• Free Time

 

Day Three: 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:  Visit Malinalco today before transferring late afternoon to TLC airport (B, L)

Today we travel to the nearby town of Malinalco. It is a favorite place for “Chilangos” to go on the weekends, with its 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.

• Travel to the charming, neighboring village of Malinalco!
• Lunch at a favorite restaurant in Malincalco
• Return to TLC airport in the late afternoon

 

 

Photos From This Tour