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The Fascination For
Mexican Handicrafts
Xochipilli-Xochiquétzal are two sister organizations that were born to provide support and training
for Mexican craftsmen. The trading company and the civil association work together to give hand
made products from rural indigenous communities access to the international markets.
By CRISTINA ÁVILA-ZESATTI
According to the Aztec cosmogony, Xochipilli
and Xochiquétzal were twin brother and sister,
a prince and a princess, god and goddess
of the flowers and of all the beautiful things
in nature and therefore patron and patroness,
respectively, of artists and craftsmen.
These two names in the Náhuatl language
inspired the names of the twin organizations
as well – born in the city of Cuernavaca,
Morelos, to revere and support Mexican
craftsmanship. A cult of much more modern
shades, linked not only to the preservation of
traditions but also, and above all, to the International
expansion of hand-made exquisite
products by rural and indigenous communities
in Mexico.
Since 1991, these two organizations
have helped craftsmen from various sites
in Mexico ship their products to countries
such as France, Italy, Germany, Austria, the
US and Canada. When they decided to embark
on this project, its founders concluded
there were two problems to solve. Firstly,
find clients outside of Mexico who could be
interested in the work of Mexican artisans.
Secondly, help Mexican artisans ascribe to