Jacobo Mendoza is Zapotec from the famous weaving town of Teotitlan del Valle in the valley of Oaxaca. His family has been weaving since before the Spaniards arrived.
The Oaxaca region is home to more ethnic groups, more indigenous languages and more species of plants than any other region in Mexico, and indeed, more than most regions of the world.
The Zapotecs of the Oaxacan central valley are known as the “The Cloud People”. It only takes one visit to their ancient heartland to appreciate the name, the high cumulus clouds brushing the tops of the surrounding mountains cast their shadows all across the valley.
In Teotitlán del Valle, rugs and other textiles have been hand loomed since 500 BCE, long before the pedal loom was introduced by the Spanish. Zapotec textiles served as tribute for the Mixteca (Aztecs).
Jacobo is a prize winning weaver of his generation, as well as a being recognized for all his innovations with dyes. He, his wife Maria Luisa and his children all weave and are experts in creating an amazing array of colors using only natural dye stuffs and non-toxic fixatives.
