Mexican sewing looms - stock photo

Textiles of Mexico have a long history. The making of fibers, cloth, and other textile goods has existed in the country since before the Spanish came to America. Fibers used during the pre-Hispanic period included those from the yucca, palm and maguey plants as well as the use of cotton in the hot lowlands of the south. After the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, the Spanish introduced new fibers such as silk and wool as well as the European foot-treadle loom. Most handicrafts are produced by indigenous people, whose communities are concentrated in the center and south of the country in states such as Mexico State, Oaxaca, and Chiapas.