San Andrés Larráinzar, Chiapas

Assistant name: Juan Gomez Hernandez

Cecilia Gómez Díaz crafts traditional textile pieces using a backstrap loom, an ancestral technique that reflects the cultural richness of her community.

The knowledge of textile making was passed down to her by her mother when she was seven years old. By observing her mother’s work, she began learning the craft, and once her mother noticed she could make the first stitches on her own, she started teaching her how to create iconographies. As she grew older, she took courses on color combinations, natural dyes, and sales, which helped her strengthen her textile work.

Through this form of self-employment, she was able to earn an income and afford to attend high school. Today, she recognizes this as a cultural heritage from her community in Chiapas and a part of Mexico’s identity. She feels proud of what she does and is committed to sharing it with future generations, including her own children.

In 2017, she founded Tulan Textiles, a collective made up of 37 women and 5 men. When special orders are received, they work together as a team to ensure the pieces are ready on time.

Their products are made with mercerized cotton threads and wool dyed with natural dyes. They create a wide range of pieces, from small items like coin purses and cosmetic bags to larger pieces such as shawls, blouses, shirts, and traditional huipiles.