Textile Stories: Mexican Otomi
At Travel Patterns our heart and mission is to weave traditional textiles and patterns into our everyday lives. We do this by working directly with partners in several different countries to create products that not only look amazing but are also ethically sourced. We strive to not only make these textiles accessible, but to also educate on how they are made.
Today we are featuring Otomi, a textile indeginous to Mexico.
Otomi, or Tenango as it is traditionally known, is a style of embroidery which originated in the Tenango de Doria municipality in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. It is a commercialized version of traditional Otomi embroidery, which was developed in the 1960s in response to a famine that affected the Otomi people. The designs and creation are associated with the indigenous Otomi people, who call themselves “hñuhñu.” The Otomi can be found in several states in central Mexico, but the embroidery originates in Tenango de Doria.
What we know as Otomi embroidery is a simplified version of embroidery done for centuries by the Otomi people. The most common elements are the flora and fauna found in the Tenango de Doria area including chickens, dogs, wild birds, rabbits, horses, flowers and trees. A signature style of Otomi is a white, or off-white, background and bright colored designs, however, a single-colored Otomi can be found when looking in the right place. Since their rise to popularity in the 1960’s most Otomi designs can be found on pillows, tapestries, table runners, and in rare cases, clothing.
This craft often requires much practice and skill as the best Otomis have small, tight stitches, barely seen on the back of the piece. Otomis also require a lot of patience -- a well-made tapestry or bedspread could take up to six years to make depending on the size!
Currently in our brick & mortar shop in Huntsville, AL we have a large selection of Otomi pillows and wall art. We love seeing the bright colors being featured in homes this spring. Stop by today and find the perfect Otomi to finish off a room or to add a pop of color to your home!
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