José Ramírez Alejo: Weaving Time in Nurio 

In the highlands of Michoacán, nestled among pine forests and winding rural roads, lies the  Purépecha town of Nurio—a place where craft is still a way of life, and tradition is woven into  the fabric of daily labor. This is where José Ramírez Alejo begins his day: not with machines or  noise, but with the soft rustle of natural fibers and the rhythm of his hands shaping them into  brooms, baskets, and tools of quiet beauty. 

José has been working with local straw, palm, and ixtle since he was a child, learning the craft  from his father and uncles, who in turn had learned from theirs. His workshop is modest but alive  with the scent of dried fiber and the soft percussion of weaving—no electricity required, just skill, patience, and respect for the material. 

He is best known for his beautifully crafted escobas de palma (palm brooms), hand-tied and  stitched using techniques passed down over generations. These are not factory-made items—they  are works of functional artistry, each one a testament to balance, strength, and precision. His  woven baskets, used for everything from harvesting to home storage, are made with the same  care and rooted in a deep understanding of both the land and its rhythms. 

In a world of plastics and mass production, José’s work is a kind of resistance: a return to slow  making, to the dignity of utility, and to the beauty of everyday objects. His pieces are not only  useful—they are part of a living Purépecha heritage, where craft is both cultural identity and  economic survival. 

José’s work has been featured in regional craft fairs and traditional markets throughout  Michoacán, where his pieces are instantly recognizable for their strength, clean form, and  durability. He has also participated in cultural events aimed at preserving indigenous techniques  and materials, often demonstrating his process for younger generations. 

“Lo que hago no es solo para vender,” he explains. “Es lo que somos.”  (“What I do isn’t just to sell—it’s who we are.”) 

Beyond his artistry, José plays a quiet but vital role in sustaining the craft traditions of Nurio.  He gathers many of his materials by hand, choosing only mature, sustainably harvested fibers.  He also shares his knowledge informally with younger artisans and family members, continuing  the cycle of making that has endured in his community for centuries. 

Every broom José makes is meant to be used. Every basket is meant to carry something real. But  in each woven strand, there is more than just functionality—there is time, memory, and care. In  the hands of José Ramírez Alejo, even the simplest object becomes a bridge between the past  and the present, between land and labor. 

AWARDS

·       2016 Second place, Fibers, XLVII Concurso Estatal de Artesanías de la Noche de Muertos, Gobierno Federal Fondo Nacional para el Fomento de las Artesanías Gobierna del Estado de Michoacán, Instituto del Artesano Michoacano

ARTIST INFORMATION

Lazaro Cardenaz #47, Paracho,
Michoacán 60262 

cel 452 520 6788

jose.an678@outlook.com 

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