Totonac

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Limited edition silk screen on paper
Published by Pocohontas Press, Chicago
1941, 16"h. x 13"w.
Nine separately printed colors

Totonacs of the State of Veracruz

Papantla lies in the heart of the Totonac region which embraces a large portion of the northern part of Puebla and part of Veracruz. This beautiful country is of archaeological renown for its Tajin district. The climate varies from the hot coastal zone through tropical forests to the colder mountain regions. It is in the hot country that the dress is most colorful.

A Totonac woman from the city of Papantla is shown in Plate 13. She wears a plain white cotton blouse and skirt or chincuetl that is scantily pleated and ornamented in excellent taste with floral and animal motifs. These are treated either freely, following the imagination of the embroiderer, or conventionally in the strict geometric forms of punta de cruz. Both interpretations abound in fantasy and originality and are peculiar to the vicinity though one can trace certain Otomó influences.

Over the skirt the Totonac wears the tapun or keshkemel made of thin material and trimmed with lace. This keshkemel is of characteristic cut but more ample than that of the Huastecans, for instance. The Totonacs living in the mountainous sections wear the same garment made of more substantial materials.

Carlos Merida

Carlos Merida print: $100.00

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