6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY July 11-17, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Scattered under the trees at Patriot Park in Greenfield, a group of Triqui Indigenous women stand out from the greenery with red huipiles and dozens of thin white strands that make them look like they are attached to the trees. They are there to learn backstrap weaving in a class sponsored by Celebration Nation, a San Jose-based nonprofit that supports farmworkers and undocumented immigrants, called “Cultura Triqui Sin Fronteras”—Triqui culture without borders. “Tap, tap, tap” is the sound the machete o tzotzopaztli makes every time it hits the weft. It seems like a simple up-and-down movement to push the thread down to ensure closegrain weaving; however, backstrap weaving is a little more complex than pushing strands. It involves different factors, such as having the right distance between the weaver and the tree for warp tension. Backstrap looming is one of the oldest forms of weaving that can be traced to the bronze-iron ages. It has been a traditional artisanal practice among Indigenous peoples around the world; including Mexican Indigenous people. The Triqui huipil is 100 percent hand-made; it can take up to a year to finish one. This traditional piece of clothing is full of symbolism. It represents rebirth and a caterpillar’s transformation to a butterfly. The collar, made of triangular-shaped ribbon, symbolizes the sun; the hanging ribbons on the back, the rainbow; the red strips are the caterpillar’s path and the figures and patterns that symbolize a butterfly’s flight. Adelaida Álvarez, who volunteers with Celebration Nation, says she talked with Flor Martínez, Celebration Nation’s executive director, about bringing new programs to the Greenfield community. “I want something for my Indigenous community,” Álvarez recalls saying. Álvarez says in Spanish the goal is “to preserve our culture and without forgetting where we came from and share what we know with other women.” Álvarez notes the class provides women with a space to socialize and practice Triqui or Spanish while learning a new craft. The news about the class was spread by word of mouth and Facebook posts. They chose the day and time based on the women’s availability; most of them are farmworkers and work in the early morning and afternoons. Many Triqui women learn this craft at a young age. Cirila Martínez, the backstrap weaving teacher at Patriot Park, says in Triqui she began when she was 8 years old. Martínez specializes in huipil-making and once the harvesting season is over, she dedicates her time mainly to backstrap weaving. In six months she can weave two huipiles. The women meet nearly every Saturday from 4-6pm under the shade of the trees at Patriot Park. Many of them come to relax and work on their huipiles or napkins. Celebration Nation provides all the yarn, imported from Mexico. The women bought and prepared sticks of various widths to form the backstrap loom including the loom bars—the width of the work—and a heddle stick to separate the warps. Cousins Elizabeth, 21, and Alberta Merino, 24, joined the class in April. Elizabeth says she likes learning her traditions. “Besides learning, I’m spending time outdoors and de-stress,” Merino says, adding she’s making her first huipil. “I think it’s going to take me a long time,” she laughs. Alberta, wearing a red huipil that was a gift from her mother-in-law, says she hopes she will soon wear the one she made. Álvarez says she’s working on expanding the class in August—17 women are on the waiting list. The weaving class is currently on sabbatical, and will return once the harvesting season slows down and kids return to school. For information on the weaving class in Triqui and Spanish, call Adelaida Álvarez at 737-4302; for Spanish and English, call Flor Martínez at (408) 310-8002. Common Threads A group of Indigenous women are weaving a community through an ancient tradition. By Celia Jiménez Anastasia Martinez is among the Triqui Indigenous women who meet every Saturday at Patriot Park in Greenfield to learn and master their skills in backstrap weaving. The goal is to preserve their culture while sharing their knowledge with other women. Backstrap weaving is more complex than pushing strands. TAlES FROM THE AREA CODE CELIA JIMÉNEZ SAVE THE DATE Thursday, July 30 • Quarterly Business Insights Breakfast with Dr. Steve Packer, CEO of Montage Health Ferrante’s Bay View Room at Monterey Marriott Thursday, September 5 • Leadership Luncheon Portola Hotel & Spa Thursday, October 10 • Monterey Bay Business Expo Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay Seaside 2024 UPCOMING EVENTS See the full schedule of events and register today at montereychamber.com REGISTER TODAY!
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