Huipil

1970

The huipil is a simple rectangular, sleeveless garment that covers the shoulders and part of the arms and may fall to the hips in length, but reaches to the ankles elsewhere. In Mixtec, the huipil is also called 'Shiku lestu'. Wearing it expresses many aspects of social life. \Huipil composed of three woven strips joined with a brown decorative stitch ('randa'). The strips are decorated with woven motifs grouped in horizontal rows and separated by a brown stripe pattern. The motif that is central on the strip are colorful floral motifs, this motif represents the female and life. Both above and below this row of flowers are pink diamond motifs, diamond motifs represent the four cardinal directions. On the chest and back, below the neck, the decoration is more massive. The flower motif and the diamond motif are also found here. Over these motifs there is a central horizontal zigzag motif, which can be associated with fertility. The neckline is finished with a zigzag stitch. \Comparable material object 5946-521