In the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains, just outside Oaxaca City, lies the vibrant village of Teotitlán del Valle—home to a centuries-old Zapotec weaving tradition. Here, rugs are more than decor. They are vessels of history, identity, and resistance—crafted with care by women whose hands carry generations of knowledge.
At the heart of this tradition is Pastora, the oldest of five sisters, who founded a weaving cooperative over 25 years ago. After the loss of their father, Pastora sought a way to support her family while preserving the craft they had inherited. What began as a personal necessity has grown into a powerful collective of Zapotec women—single mothers, widows, and unmarried women—who now rely on weaving as a means of independence and livelihood. Their workshop hums with quiet strength. Local sheep wool is washed, combed, carded, and hand spun into yarn. Using only natural elements—seeds, tree bark, cochineal insects, and indigo leaves—the yarn is then dyed into rich, earthy colours. From there, a traditional pedal loom is set up, and each design is woven yarn by yarn, a meditative act of patience and intention. Depending on the size, a single rug (or tapete) can take up to a week to complete.As the women shared their stories with us, smiles widened with pride. They pointed to symbols of beauty, liberty, nature, and strength—woven seamlessly into the fabric of each piece. These aren’t just home goods. They’re living artifacts, full of spirit and soul. Each rug tells a personal story and reflects the shared values of the community: resilience, creativity, and connection to the land.
At Wylde Brigade, we are honoured to bring these weavings to new homes—where their story can continue to unfold.