San Pablito, Puebla

Julio Laja Chichicaxtle and his family of 10 work in the papel amate (Otomi bark paper) and Tenangos (embroidery) traditions in San Pablito Pahuatlan, Puebla. With his family, he helps keep the indigenous art of making amate paper from the Popova tree. When cooked, these fibers take on the natural shades of ochre, green, and brown. Chichicaxtle then braids and twists strips of the hand-processed fibers into his distinctive designs. The Otomi embroidery style known as tenangos uses vibrant colors, and unique floral and animal designs. Each Otomi piece is hand embroidered on ivory muslin by Otomi artisans.