Felipa Tzeek Naal facts for kids

Felipa Tzeek Naal is a talented artisan from Mexico. She is famous for her special skill in weaving with palm leaves. This traditional craft has been passed down through generations of her Maya family. She has even been called a "grand master" by a cultural group called Fomento Cultural Banamex.

Felipa Tzeek Naal: A Master of Palm Weaving

A Village of Weavers

Felipa lives in a small village called Nunkini. It is located in Campeche, a state in southeastern Mexico. For a very long time, even before the Spanish came to Mexico, the Maya people living there were expert weavers. They used leaves from a local palm tree called "huano" to make mats and baskets. These items often had beautiful patterns like zigzags and geometric shapes.

Keeping Traditions Alive

Today, Felipa and her daughter, María Olga Kantum Tzeek, are among the very few who still practice this ancient weaving art. They create amazing pieces using traditional designs. Felipa learned these special patterns from her own grandmother. This shows how important it is to pass down skills through families.

From Palm to Product

Making these woven items is a family effort. First, they collect young, unopened palm leaves. This helps keep the leaves shiny. Then, the leaves are separated and left to dry. After drying, they are bleached using sulfur. Many of the leaves are then dyed with plants. For example, "chackxin" is used to make traditional red and ochre (a yellowish-brown color) dyes.

The Art of Weaving

The weaving is done entirely by hand. No special frames or tools are used. Designs are woven directly into the pieces. Weavers use two or more colors, or even undyed fronds. The patterns can be very detailed. They often form various geometric shapes.

What Felipa Creates

Felipa makes many different items. These include baskets of various sizes. She also creates carrying bags, toys, and fans. Large mats are another common item. For bigger baskets, the bases are made with a stronger palm leaf called chilib.