Ikat Traditions: The Mexican Jaspe Rebozo

A women’s shawl that evolved throughout Mexico’s history, the rebozo is an integral part of every stage of life and has great cultural and historical significance. In particular, the jaspe rebozo is a wonderful example of ikat, unique in the complexity and scale of its design. This book shares the steps of creating a resist-dyed rebozo on a backstrap loom through text, photographs, and illustrations to preserve and pass on knowledge of this traditional and intricate craft. It is based on our experience learning alongside master weaver Don Evaristo Borboa Casas and other local weavers in Tenancingo, State of Mexico, as well as earlier work by anthropologists and artisans. We hope that the documentation of weavers and their work will be a valuable resource for a broader audience to learn about the jaspe rebozo, and for artists to learn about, experiment with, and continue the legacy of previous generations.