Posahuancos (type of Mexican skirt), huipiles and rebozos are some of the wonderful garments woven by the women of the Tixinda cooperative in the small mountain community of Pinotepa de Don Luis, which lies approximately 160 kilometers northwest of Puerto Escondido.

The more than 60 members of the cooperative preserve the tradition of backstrap loom weaving, and their textiles are prized for their high quality. Their products include tablecloths, napkins, bags, cushion covers and others, with traditional and modern designs.

The men of the community grow and dye cotton.   Among their special techniques is the tixinda dyeing, with dye obtained from the "milking" of the purple pansa snail found in some sacred bays of the Oaxacan coast. They also dye the cotton they spin by hand, with cochineal and indigo, and spin and leave natural, brown-toned coyuchi cotton.

Dreamweavers is a project that seeks the permanence of the members in their community through the preservation of their ancestral production methods.

Patrice Perillie

Pinotepa de Don Luis, Oaxaca

954 102 1792

mexicandreamweavers@hotmail.com