Candle Making in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca
at Casa Viviana
Casa Viviana Candle Making, also known as Teotitlán Wax Candle Craft, is a traditional art form originating from the village of Teotitlán del Valle in Oaxaca, Mexico. It is a unique and time-honored style of candle making, renowned for its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and ceremonial significance in local festivals and rituals
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History and Origins: Casa Viviana’s candle-making tradition dates back several generations in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca. Passed down through the Alavez family, this craft has deep roots in the region’s cultural and religious life. These candles have long been used in local festivities, weddings, and religious ceremonies, blending artistry with spiritual significance.
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Artistic Style: Casa Viviana candles are known for their intricate, hand-sculpted designs and vibrant colors. Crafted from pure beeswax, they often feature floral motifs, lace-like patterns, and elaborate forms that transform each candle into a work of art. The vibrant hues are achieved using natural dyes, such as cochineal for reds, indigo for blues, and pericón flowers for yellows, reflecting both the colors of Oaxaca’s landscape and its ancestral knowledge. Each piece carries the essence of Zapotec heritage combined with the personal creativity of the artisans, making every candle unique.
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Production Process: The process begins with melting and filtering locally sourced beeswax, which is then shaped over cotton wicks. Skilled hands mold and sculpt the wax into delicate details, using simple tools and time-honored methods. The candles are painted or dipped in naturally dyed wax, a process that involves sun-bleaching the beeswax to a pale base before infusing it with pigments from plants and insects. This careful layering of form and color results in candles that are as visually striking as they are symbolic in local culture, embodying centuries of tradition and artistry.
IMAGES BY ROBIN HOOYBERGS
Meet our Genius
Doña Viviana Alavez
IMAGES BY ROBIN HOOYBERGS
Viviana Alávez was born in Teotitlán del Valle, a Zapotec village in Oaxaca renowned for its deep artistic traditions and ceremonial culture. Surrounded by a family of artisans, she embraced the art of candle making from an early age, learning techniques passed down through generations. What began as a family practice rooted in local rituals became a lifelong devotion to shaping beeswax into intricate forms inspired by nature, spirituality, and the visual language of Oaxaca. Through years of practice, she has refined an artistic vocabulary of sculpted flowers, symbolic motifs, and richly colored compositions using natural pigments such as cochineal, indigo, and pericón.
Casa Viviana is both workshop and living archive, where generations have devoted themselves to preserving this cherished art. Within the space, beeswax is melted, shaped, carved, and layered by hand using simple tools and inherited molds, transforming raw material into ceremonial candles of remarkable intricacy. The workshop carries the scent of warm wax and the rhythm of a craft tied to weddings, religious celebrations, and communal life. Located in the heart of Teotitlán del Valle, Casa Viviana welcomes visitors into a space where artistry and tradition remain inseparable.
Visitors are warmly welcomed to experience this living practice and discover the heart of Casa Viviana, where each candle carries memory, symbolism, and the enduring spirit of Oaxacan craftsmanship.
IMAGES BY ROBIN HOOYBERGS
2hrs Candle Making
Workshop
Our Workshops
Join us for an immersive 2-hour Candle Making Workshop, where you’ll discover the art of ceremonial beeswax candles while entering the living tradition of Zapotec craftsmanship. Hosted at Casa Viviana, this intimate experience offers a rare opportunity to learn directly within a family workshop where ancestral techniques have been preserved for generations.
During the workshop, you will be introduced to the history and symbolism of Oaxacan ceremonial candles, work with natural beeswax and traditional methods, and create your own hand-crafted candle under the guidance of master artisan Viviana Alávez. From sculpting decorative forms to understanding the cultural significance of these luminous objects, the experience combines hands-on making with storytelling and tradition.
The workshop takes place in the heart of Teotitlán del Valle, within the warm and intimate setting of Casa Viviana, where generations have devoted themselves to this cherished art. Here is a glimpse of what the experience holds:
Hour 1:
Visit Casa Viviana’s workshop and be introduced to the materials and traditions behind Oaxacan ceremonial candle making. Learn about locally sourced beeswax, natural pigments, and the symbolic role these candles play in weddings, religious celebrations, and community rituals.
Discover how beeswax is prepared, softened, and shaped by hand using traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Learn to differentiate between structural forms used for ceremonial candles and decorative elements such as floral and symbolic motifs.
Begin shaping and sculpting your own candle under the guidance of Viviana Alávez.
Hour 2:
Continue developing your piece by applying hand-formed details and exploring traditional methods of ornamentation.
Learn how natural color is incorporated into the candles, including pigments derived from plants and insects used in Oaxacan traditions.
Spend time immersed in the workshop, observing inherited molds, tools, and the rhythms of a living family atelier.
Conclude with an artisan exchange on the cultural significance of candle making in Teotitlán del Valle and leave with your hand-crafted candle as a reflection of the experience.
Please note that due to the nature of the workshop, you won't have the opportunity to see the final results of your creations during the 3-day experience.
However, you'll have the chance to visit Abdul's studio, where you can admire and even purchase some of his remarkable creations.
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn the art of pottery from a master artisan and experience the rich cultural heritage of Tamegroute. Book your spot in the 3-day Pottery Workshop today!
105$ USD
Please note that after entering your e-mail on Paypal you will be prompted the option to pay with you card if you do not have an account OR through PayPal
What is not included:
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Flight tickets
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It is mandatory for all attendees to obtain travel insurance encompassing personal injury, medical expenses, loss or damage to luggage, repatriation expenses, and emergency evacuation expenses. The cost typically ranges from $60 to $100 USD
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Transportation outside the scope of the workshop experience
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Personal expenses such as shopping, additional activities, and sightseeing are not included.
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Alcoholic beverages are not provided as part of the package.
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Accommodation for the entire duration of your stay.
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Meals per day provided during your time at the workshop.
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Transportation services arranged for the duration of the experience.
Terms, Rules, and Guidelines for Using Our Provided Services: 1. Respect for Cultural and Religious Differences: - We kindly request that you remain aware of and show respect towards cultural and religious differences throughout your experience with us. 2. Basic Workplace Facilities: - Please understand that our workplace is designed to meet basic needs and may not offer luxurious amenities. 3. Involvement of Children: - As part of our cultural practices, children are also involved in our work after school hours. We appreciate your understanding and support in this regard. 4. Care for Borrowed Materials: - We kindly ask that you handle the materials lent to you with utmost care and respect. 5. Damage or Loss of Materials: - Any damage to or loss of materials provided by the artisan will incur charges to cover the replacement or repair costs. 6. Non-Compliance Fee: - Failure to adhere to the aforementioned guidelines, resulting in a complaint filed by the artisan, will incur a fee of $100 per person who violated the rules payed to the artisan at the premises. 7. Respect for the Artisan: - Show deep respect for the artisan and their craft, which has been passed down through generations. Acknowledge their dedication and the hard work they have put into their life's passion. 8. Additional Term and Condition: - If you wish to continue working on your craft after the workshop has officially ended, an hourly charge of $35 Please be aware that neither Indigenius nor the artisan will be held responsible for any damage, loss of personal belongings, or health issues that may occur during your visit. Similarly, transportation to and from the artisan's location is the sole responsibility of the participants. The artisan invests time in preparing for your visit, so please understand that no refunds will be provided in the event of cancellations made by the purchaser. Indigenius does not assume responsibility for any additional transportation arrangements that you may choose to make during your stay. Exceptions: - In case of the unfortunate event of a death in the family or the illness of the person who purchased the workshop, exceptions can be made with appropriate evidence provided. By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you grant the artisan permission to capture photographs during the workshop with the purpose of promoting his own work, as well as showcasing the overall experience and the work of his students. Our goal is to foster strong relationships with the artisans and create a meaningful connection to their craft. This presents a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience the same passion and artistry firsthand.