Traditional Zapotec

Mel and Lucy come from a long-line of weavers, dating back several generations. Following a generations long family tradition, Mel learned to weave in Teotitlan del Valle, in a small town in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. He was taught at his parent’s feet, by watching and learning, before himself taking up the and on a two-foot pedal . His wife, Lucy, assists Mel, and his two daughters are learning the business just as he did from his parents.

The Zapotec name comes from an Indian civilization that existed in Central America and Mexico from 500 BC until approximately 1500 AD. They were credited with having developed both highly advanced forms of communication and technological capabilities beyond the norm for that time.

The Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico have been weaving for over 2,000 years. The first ancient Zapotec City, Monte Alban, was established around 500 BC and flourished for 1200 years in southern Mexico. Ceremonial architecture, hieroglyphs and clay figures are only part of this rich legacy that included colorful cloth woven on back-strap tension .

The arrival of Hernando Cortes and the Spanish conquistadores in 1519 ushered in a period of violence, disease, slavery and religious conversion. The Spanish recognized the value of the Zapotec weaving tradition, however, and introduced sheep, the fixed-frame pedal loom and the . These 16th century investments prevented the dismantling of the Zapotec culture and enabled the weavers to make larger, stronger and more durable textiles.

PO Box 40 1051 Zion Park Blvd Springdale, UT 84767 435-772-6888 www.deziongallery.com [email protected]