Jerónimo Vásquez Gutiérrez, Wilmer Vásquez Luis & Yulisa Vicente Mendoza

Generations of Color: Zapotec Weavers of Teotitlán del Valle

In the highland village of Teotitlán del Valle, weaving is more than a livelihood—it is a way of life passed down through generations. For the Vásquez family, this legacy is woven into every thread. Today, Jerónimo Vásquez Gutiérrez, his son Wilmer Vásquez Luis, and his daughter-in-law Yulisa Vicente Mendoza carry forward the centuries-old tradition of Zapotec weaving, honoring the work and wisdom of their late patriarch, Isaac Vásquez, a globally recognized master dyer and preservationist of indigenous textile traditions.

Their rugs and textiles are rooted in Zapotec cosmology and history, drawing inspiration from pre-Hispanic architecture, sacred geometry, and ancient symbols. But it is their mastery of natural dyeing techniques that truly distinguishes their work. The family is known for producing rich, complex color palettes using cochineal for reds, indigo for blues, mosses for yellow, and acacia pods for black—traditional methods that have been practiced in the region for centuries. Their workshop is among the few that still source raw wool locally, spinning and weaving every piece by hand using pedal looms.

As a natural dye expert, Isaac collaborated with internationally renowned artists like Rufino Tamayo and shared his methods across the world. Today, that legacy lives on through Jerónimo, Wilmer, and Yulisa, who continue to innovate while remaining rooted in ancestral knowledge. Their vibrant work is not only a testament to technical excellence, but also to familial love, resilience, and cultural continuity.