Speaking in her native tongue, Zapotec, Carmen Ruiz describes the artform she inherited from her ancestors and her commitment to keeping the tradition alive. She remembers the first Zapotec weaving she completed at 15 years-old, a rebozo shawl, which she gifted to her mother.
Her parents specialized in the chicote, or treadle loom, which was introduced in Oaxaca during colonial times and is completely made of wood. On it, she weaves virgin wool, dyed with cochineal, marigold, and acacia thorns. One of her biggest challenges has been navigating marketplaces across Mexico because she speaks very little Spanish. For this reason, she is so grateful to her Novica customers, who have given her a chance to showcase her beautiful creations on her own terms. |
