SOLD: 04/27/08

The everyday wardrobe of the Tehuana is made up of a huipil and a skirt as shown in the right hand figure of Plate 20. The blouse may be red, purple or indigo, woven or embroidered with geometric designs in orange or yellow. The pleated skirt is finished with lace or a deep flounce of starched white cloth which plays a graceful role in the popular dance called La Zandunga. As the Tehuana dances she holds her skirt and sways it rhythmically.

In the matter of accessories these women are lovers of jewelry, wearing finger rings, heavy earrings and necklaces of gold. The hair, rolled and wound around the head is adorned with colored ribbons tied into a large bow in front. The bul or decorated gourd filled with fruits, flowers and tortillas completes the ensemble.

The Tehuanas living across the Isthmus to the north in the neighborhood of Santa Lucrecia (now Jesús Carranza), Mogoñé and Saravia wear the simpler type of costume illustrated in the left hand figure of Plate 20. The skirt called enredo is merely a length of red and yellow cloth draped around the hips and held in place by having one of its ends tucked in at the waist. The blouses worn in these localities are splendid in color but less elaborate in detail than those of the central Isthmus.  

Carlos Merida

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