Mixteca

We are two hours west of Oaxaca city, 3,000 feet above our mile-high home, in an area known as the Mixteca Alta (the high Mixteca), land of the Mixtec people, one of the 16 identified tribes that live in the State of Oaxaca.

Green means food, red means starvation 2000

Near Oaxaca city, where I live, is a mountainous region known as the Mixteca Alta (the high Mixteca).

Between a rock and a hard place 2000

Near Oaxaca city, where I live, is a mountainous region known as the Mixteca Alta (the high Mixteca).

Between a rock and a hard place 2000

We are two hours west of Oaxaca city, 3,000 feet above our mile-high home, in an area known as the Mixteca Alta (the high Mixteca), land of the Mixtec people, one of the 16 identified tribes that live in the State of Oaxaca.

Green means food, red means starvation 2000

In many instances the authors also include a section on the techniques used by the artist, which variously includes the sourcing of raw materials such as wool from the Mixteca region of the state for making rugs and wall hangings, or clays from other regions of the state for changing tone and texture of sculptures; and processing methods including the extracting of natural dyes from fruits, plants, soils and the cochineal insect.

Mexican Folk Art from Oaxacan Artist Families by Arden Aibel and Anya Leah Rothstein 2009

Although some version of this tale is told in many cultures, it seems particularly relevant to the Mixteca region, where a terrain of rough peaks, rocky soil and little water make even sustenance farming difficult.

Culinary travel in the Mixteca Poblana: The avocado route 2009

In many instances the authors also include a section on the techniques used by the artist, which variously includes the sourcing of raw materials such as wool from the Mixteca region of the state for making rugs and wall hangings, or clays from other regions of the state for changing tone and texture of sculptures; and processing methods including the extracting of natural dyes from fruits, plants, soils and the cochineal insect.

Mexican Folk Art from Oaxacan Artist Families by Arden Aibel and Anya Leah Rothstein 2009

This region of Puebla starts in Atlixco, which is considered either part of central Puebla or the gateway to the Mixteca, depending upon which guidebook you read, and goes south toward the Oaxaca border.

Culinary travel in the Mixteca Poblana: The avocado route 2009

Flores was born in Huitzo, in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, on July 1, 1963.

Enrique Flores: Philanthropic Oaxaca artist has the golden touch 2009

But it's been his constant presence in the Mixteca which has been his most significant ongoing inspiration.

Enrique Flores: Philanthropic Oaxaca artist has the golden touch 2009