Mauro ‘Habacuc’ Avendaño Luis, 81, and his son Rafael, 42, are tintoreros, or dyers, from the Indigenous Mixtec community in Mexico. They practice the ancient art of extracting dye ink from purpura snails, a tradition that dates back 1,500 years. The purpura snail, Plicopurpura colummelaris, yields a vibrant purple dye known as tixinda.
The duo sets out on the Pacific coast, carefully navigating treacherous rocky shorelines to find and “milk” the snails. This process involves delicately extracting ink from the snails without harming them. The ink, a milky substance, reacts with oxygen in the air to produce a range of colors, culminating in a brilliant violet hue when exposed to sunlight.
Habacuc, a seasoned dyer, learned the craft from his uncle at the age of 14. Over the years, he has witnessed a significant decline in snail populations due to various threats, including poaching and habitat destruction. The once-thriving snail species, once abundant along the Pacific coast, is now limited to Huatulco national park, making it increasingly challenging for dyers like Habacuc to sustain their tradition.
In the 1980s, the snails faced a crisis when Japanese companies exploited them for dyeing textiles, leading to a rapid decline in population. The Mixtec community, with the help of researchers and biologists, intervened to protect the snails and their habitat. In 1994, the Mexican government designated the purpura snail as a protected species, granting exclusive milking rights to the Mixtecs of Pinotepa de Don Luis.
Despite conservation efforts, new threats loom over the snails, exacerbated by coastal development and tourism. Poachers pose a constant danger, jeopardizing the fragile snail population. Habacuc and Rafael, among the few remaining dyers in their community, strive to uphold their cultural heritage amid mounting challenges.
As night falls, Habacuc and Rafael return to their camp, reflecting on the importance of preserving their ancestral tradition. The purple dye extracted from purpura snails holds deep cultural significance for the Mixtec people, symbolizing their connection to the land and sea. The dwindling number of dyers underscores the urgent need for education and awareness to safeguard this ancient practice for future generations.
Through their dedication to milking snails and producing exquisite purple dye, Habacuc and Rafael embody a centuries-old tradition that faces an uncertain future. Their resilience and commitment to preserving indigenous knowledge serve as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between tradition and conservation in a rapidly changing world.
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