Textiles  of the North American Southwest
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Hispanic Pictorial Weaving
Irvin Trujillo
1986
Chimayó, New Mexico

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This weaving is inspired by the Matachines dance, a ritual drama performed today by Hispanic and Indian people in many areas of the North American Southwest. Its weaver Irvin Trujillo titled the piece "Buscando la Malinche," which means "Searching for Malinche." Malinche is the only female character in the dance and is played by a young girl. She is often said to represent the Virgin Mary.

During the dance, soldiers or apostles like the one depicted in this weaving conduct a symbolic search for Malinche. When found, she exchanges a rattle for the trident that the soldier or apostle carries in his left hand.

Matachines Dance

 
 
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