Huipil

1971

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 that have been joined together with a decorative pink stitch ('randa'). The strips are decorated with woven motifs grouped in horizontal rows and separated by a pink zigzag 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 colorful diamond motifs, diamond motifs represent the four cardinal directions. On the chest and back, below the neck, the decoration is more massive. Flower motif and arrow motif are found here. Over these motifs there is a central horizontal zigzag motif, which can be associated with fertility. Above this massive decoration dog figures can be found. The neckline is finished with a pink zigzag stitch. \Comparable material object 5946-520