From Home to Workshop: A Space of Their Own
From the kitchens that stored the harvests to the workshop, it is all about creating. The story of Döngu is the story of women who made their own space
Retrato de las manos de una artesana del Taller Döngu mientras trabaja en una muñeca Donxu (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Where everything merged
In San Ildefonso Tultepec, in Mexico's Amealco district approximately two hours from Mexico City, Josefina Pascual Cayetano kept her raw materials in harvest sacks, like many of her colleagues from the Donxu workshop. The bedroom was a cellar, the kitchen was a workshop. Each woman worked in her own space.
Retrato de las artesanas del Taller Döngu que trabajan juntas en sus bordados (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Coming together
Gradually, the women found common ground, and Gloria Domínguez García, Laura Gregorio Pascual, Maura Pascual Cayetano, and many other women began to meet. Solitude became companionship, and the individual became the collective.
Retrato de las artesanas del Taller Döngu en sus trajes autóctonos (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
From home to Döngu
Döngu means old house in the language of the Otomi, an indigenous people of central Mexico. This is what they named their shared space, no longer working in scattered kitchens but under one roof. Döngu became a second home.
Artesanas del Taller Döngu trabajando en sus bordados portando sus trajes típicos (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
More than a physical space
"I'm very happy to have a workshop that's just for work," says Josefina. But the change was more than that. The space became a refuge, a place to be heard, a place for women.
Retrato de la artesana Josefina Pascual Cayetano del Taller Döngu riendo con sus compañeras (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
A supportive network
"This is pretty much the information center," laughs María de la Luz Gregorio Pascual. Personal stories, outpourings, and tears flow among the embroideries. "We have complete trust in each other."
Artesanas del Taller Döngu trabajando en sus bordados portando sus trajes típicos (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Sisters linked by thread
"We're like family," Gloria says of her colleagues. Carmen Pascual Rafael and her daughters are her cousins. The workshop has woven a bond stronger than blood; it's a chosen sisterhood, a new family.
Las artesanas del Taller Döngu conviven juntas (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Knowledge exchange
The voices of their ancestors resound in the workshop. Maura learns from the older women; Angélica from her mother. "I learn more every day," Maura says. Knowledge flows between generations, between hands.
Retrato de las muñecas Donxu elaboradas por el Taller Döngu (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Rediscovering a heritage
Together, they rediscovered the Donxu dolls they had almost abandoned. "They represent us as indigenous women, they are our roots and our customs," Josefina explains. Together they recovered what they'd forgotten as individuals.
Detalle de las faldas de los trajes autóctonos de las artesanas del Taller Döngu (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Heritage that matters
"We were allowing a part of ourselves, what our ancestors left us, to be lost," Josefina reflects. The workshop let them understand that their heritage is not a burden but a treasure worth sharing.
Retrato de las artesanas del Taller Döngu que trabajan juntas en sus bordados (2025-10-13) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Lives intertwined like threads
Today, the Döngu Workshop thrives on both its embroideries and the lives that intertwine there daily. United by the woven heritage of their ancestors, these women have created more than a space: they've created a shared home.
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