The Family Weaving Against Obscurity
The Tamayo family first started weaving to earn a living. Today, they weave so that the sarape and its heritage continue to beat in the heart of Mexico
Rincón del taller de Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez (2025-10-28) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The table where they ate and wove
Rubén's mother's house, 2000s. The dining room table functions as a workbench, with threads strewn between plates and dye-coated hands breaking bread. Everyone weaves: Rubén, his brothers Héctor Gerardo and Pedro Iván, and his brother-in-law Iván Zamora. Children grow up observing this scene.
"If my family hadn't supported me, we wouldn't be here," says Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez.
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Fourteen years of work
From 1994 to 2008, Rubén wove in a renowned sarape shop. Not out of love for the craft, but to earn a living. "My primary goal was survival."
Retrato de Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez en la Escuela del Sarape "La Favorita" (2025-10-28) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
2008: The revelation at the museum
When the Sarape and Mexican Costumes Museum (Museo del Sarape y Trajes Mexicanos) opened in 2008, Rubén went in looking for work. "That's when I realized we were the last ones. Just our two families." The Luna family and the Tamayo family. "I struggled to believe it because I seemed too young." In 15 days he was already weaving again.
Detalle de trabajo en el taller de Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez (2025-10-28) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
From obscurity to legacy
One year after the museum, Favorita Sarape School (Escuela del Sarape La Favorita) was founded. The brothers were the first teachers: Héctor Gerardo Tamayo Sánchez, Pedro Iván Tamayo Sánchez, his brother-in-law Iván Zamora, and Javier Luna Reyes. They asked for 50 looms.
"There was a shift from working to earn a living to understanding that our craft was disappearing," says Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez.
Retrato de Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez en el restaurante Don Artemio (2025-10-28) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
From secrets to teaching
Rubén's teacher, José Espirilión, was possessive of his craft. Rubén, on the other hand, shares his knowledge as part of his mission. "It was hard for me to start teaching. People don't understand that this is passing on knowledge."
Retrato de Héctor Gerardo Tamayo Sánchez trabajando en el taller de Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez (2025-10-28) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Master of color
Héctor Gerardo Tamayo Sánchez is one of the best dye artists. José Espirilión never called him by his name, he simply referred to him as muchacho. Today, Héctor teaches at the school. His nephew Alan is learning from him.
Retrato de Héctor de Jesús Tamayo Gloria trabajando en el taller de Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez (2025-10-28) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
From a responsibility to a source of pride
Héctor and Alan Tamayo Gloria have been weaving since middle school. "When I was in the eighth grade, my dad asked me to help out with fringing and, from there, my curiosity led me to jump on a loom." They started with keychains and dividers. Now they make complex pieces.
Retrato de Alan Erubiel Tamayo Gloria trabajando en el taller de Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez (2025-10-28) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Standing firm in the city of factories
Saltillo pushes its young people north: Monterrey, the United States, factories. "Nobody wants to say 'I'm an artisan.'" Héctor studied engineering and was just two semesters short of finishing his degree. Alan could have left. But they both chose the loom.
"For me it's a responsibility, a compulsion, because there aren't many young people in our profession anymore. But it's also a source of pride," says Alan Erubiel Tamayo Gloria.
Detalle de trabajo en el taller de Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez (2025-10-28) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Three workshops, one battle
Rubén's mother has her own workshop. Rubén's workshop is across the street. Héctor and Alan have their own workshop too. "Having a workshop with my family is convenient, but not always. Sometimes we argue," says Héctor. But they all work together.
"I decided to become an artisan so that our craft wouldn't be forgotten," says Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez.
Retrato de Juan Rubén Tamayo Sánchez en la Escuela del Sarape "La Favorita" (2025-10-28) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
"If you don't love your craft, you can't do anything."
Rubén made his decision. His brothers Héctor and Pedro joined him as teachers. His sons Héctor and Alan were under no obligation, but they too inherited the craft. Three generations, three workshops, one decision: to stand firm. Making sarapes is no longer something people do to survive. It is an act of love and pride.
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