Fidencia Pérez Hernández San Andres Larrainzar, Chiapas
Textiles

Fidencia Pérez Hernández
San Andres Larrainzar, Chiapas

San Andrés Larrainzar is a community way up in the mountains at 2200 meters that is 98% Tzotzil. It is either referred to by the name of its patron saint of San Andrés or Larrainzar. Most maps only show the name of Larrainzar. You can see the usual milpas (fields) as well as some coffee farms when traveling in the municipality.

The women supplement their income by weaving and are respected as some of the top weavers in the highlands. Like the women of Aldama, the women of San Andres Larrainzar make magnificent ceremonial huipiles (traditional blouse or dress) on the back-strap looms and they also make various everyday huipiles for themselves.

The current everyday huipil is made of white fabric with an embroidered or woven yoke. The color of the top seems to follow an unwritten law of fashion and this year most women seem to like black, purple and blue colors but you can observe a subtle change every year.

Fidencia Pérez Hernández is the representative of a group of 29 women formed 10 years ago. The group started with a few relatives and expanded to friends and neighbors and women interested in working together. Out of the 19 women, sixteen are interested in learning about past techniques in natural dyes and are taking classes from Carlos Barrerra where they also rediscover old designs that were forgotten and reintroduce them to the weaving of the group.

 The group uses cotton and wool in their work. Each woman receives the money for their work and the group participates in paying expenses and gives a small remuneration to the woman who is designated to go out and sell as she cannot weave while away from home. It is common in that community as well for the men not to let their spouse travel so there is only a small pool of women who can do so.

The group makes wool jackets, scarves, purses, wallets, huipiles, napkins, pillow cases, for outsiders as well as traditional men's shirts, everyday huipiles and beautiful ceremonial huipiles as well as modern ones. All the pieces are woven and brocaded with strap looms and they use the top-quality material available.

The women in the group so far have not participated in state competitions but Fidencia and her mother have expressed an interest in participating in the future competitions. The fact is that the number of participants in state competitions  is slowly increasing with the advents of better communication via messenger´s application and social networks.

Avenida 5 de Mayo S/N

San Andres Larrainzar, Chiapas

967 124 9069 WhatsApp

starsmerry13@outlook.com

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