Duu Nga'a
A Zapotec Women's Dyeing and Weaving Cooperative based in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico
Empowering Women Through Continuing Sustainable Indigenous Craft Traditions
Connecting
Threads
The women at Duu Nga'a, are more than weavers; they are storytellers, artists, and guardians of tradition. Their mission is to preserve the art of textiles while embracing sustainable practices.
Who We Are
Preserving Indigenous Zapotec culture, beliefs, and tradition through the practice of our craft.
Dyer and Weaver
Julia Martínez González
"Soy una mujer artesana de Teotitlán del Valle. Nuestro trabajo es una herencia de nuestros ancestros."
. . .
"I am an artisan from Teotitlán del Valle. Our work is the legacy of our ancestors."
Dyer and Weaver
Petrona Natividad Ruíz Vásquez
"Soy tejedora desde los 12 años. Me gusta hacer mis tapetes con los hilos qué pinto."
. . .
"I have been a weaver since I was 12 years old. I enjoy making rugs with the yarns that I dye."
Dyer and Weaver
Margarita Sánchez
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Dyer and Weaver
Hermelínda Mendoza Martínez
"Soy originaria de Teotitlán del Valle. Trabajo en la elaboración de tintes naturales, y aprendí a tejer cuando tenía 13 años. Me gusta mi trabajo mucho."
. . .
"I am originally from Teotitlán del Valle. I work in textile manufacturing with natural dyes, and I learned how to weave when I was 13 years old. I love the work that I do."
Dyer and Weaver
Lucrecia García Martínez
"Soy artesana Zapoteca y empecé a trabajar desde los 9 años. Aprendí de mis padres. Desde el principio, aprendí todos los procesos de limpiar la lana hasta terminar un tapete. Este arte ya viene de generación en generación. Me gusta trabajar, me gusta hacer diferentes diseños, y me encanta mi cultura."
. . .
"I am a Zapotec artist and I started to work when I was 9 years old. I learned from my parents. From the very beginning, I learned every process from cleaning the wool to finishing a rug. These practices have been passed down from generation to generation. I like to work, I enjoy doing different designs, and I love my culture."
Dyer and Weaver
Ana Sánchez
"Soy artesana desde los 12 años. Me gusta pintar y experimentar los colores en mi trabajo que son las bolsas de lana y joyería de lana."
. . .
"I have been an artist since I was 12 years old. I like to dye and experiment with the colors in my work, which are wool bags and wool jewelry."
Learn About The Importance of Their Craft
The women at Duu Nga'a are dedicated to preserving their ancestral artistic practices, ensuring that their traditions and beliefs endure through generations. By using sustainable techniques of natural dyeing and handweaving textiles, they honor the rich cultural heritage of their community while also protecting the environment. Each woven piece tells a story, infused with symbolism, history, and a deep connection to the land. Through their craft, they not only sustain their communities but also empower future generations to embrace and continue this sacred art form.
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