Abstract

FRANCO MAASS, Sergio  and  CRUZ BALDERAS, Yolanda. Local Knowledge of Wool Dyeing in a Mazahua Community in the State of Mexico. Intervención (Méx. DF) [online]. 2020, vol.11, n.22, pp.247-295.  Epub Oct 17, 2022. ISSN 2007-249X.  https://doi.org/10.30763/intervencion.238.v2n22.17.2020.

The dyeing of wool is part of the cultural heritage of the Mazahua people. In the community of Santa Rosa de Lima, local knowledge of their techniques has been lost due to various social and economic factors. An ethnographic survey was conducted to make a comparative analysis of the dyeing processes between 1995 and 2017. This survey highlights, among its main findings, that although the techniques have varied and there are deficiencies in the processes, the local women maintain their tradition and manage to obtain the colors required for their clothing. These colors, and the dyeing materials from which they come (mainly indigo and cochineal), are closely related to Mazahua women’s cultural identity. In the population mentioned above, the use of fermentation vats with human urine for indigo dyeing, a technique that is no longer used in other indigenous communities in Mexico, is still prevalent.

Keywords : Dyeing techniques; local knowledge; Mazahua ethnic group; indigo; cochineal.