Sling (servilleta)

1963

Servilleta, literally translated from Spanish, is a napkin. The servilleta is used by the Mixtecs as a sling to keep tortillas warm and to transport them. This servilleta is woven in flat weave from hand-spun 'coyuchi' cotton (natural cotton) with white cotton stripes in clusters of three stripes. These stripes are thicker, creating a three dimensional effect. At the ends the warp threads are not cut off, but left hanging and knotted together at one end as fringes. This kind of servilleta is made and worn in San Juan colorado. Oax. \Christensen Description:Servilleta with white cotton stripes woven-in, producing a raised effect. On one side fringe is twisted and left hanging loose, on the other side fringe is twisted and knotted. \Made and used by women in San Juan Colorado, Oax. \Now: San Juan Colorado, Oax., Mixteca de la Costa.