Guatemala

Huipil avaIn Latin America, particularly in Guatemala, the traditional craft of weaving is rather highly developed. And one of the most beautiful, ornate, and symbolic hand-woven garments is the huipil, a traditional blouse or tunic adorned with local patterns. These textiles are a great part of Guatemalan folk culture and the diversity of their designs will amaze you. Especially when you realize that most of the patterns originate from the Aztec and Mayan civilizations.

Huipil weaving avaIn Guatemala, females still wear their folk clothing and thus, make it themselves. Many of them are descendants from Maya people, so they practice the traditional Maya backstrap weaving. The most intricate and beautiful among Guatemalan national garments is a female blouse called “huipil”. We’re offering you a story about how two skilled Guatemalan artisans – Manuela Canil Ren from Chichicastenango and Esperanza Pérez from San Antonio Aguas Calientes – worked on huipiles typical for their regions.

Huipil avaFor the past 3,500 years, Mayan women have created intricate huipiles on a backstrap loom. These traditional garments signify the origin and status of the woman. Even today, with all those modern clothes, easily produced and bought, most women in Guatemala prefer to wear the traditional huipiles on a daily basis. But a lot of females are beginning to lose the real value and importance of this garment for their culture. And the reason for this disastrous change in priorities that can cause a total disappearance of Guatemalan traditional weaving (which takes its roots in Maya culture) is the recycling of huipiles and underpricing them.