THE ART OF MAYAN WEAVING

For centuries, Mayan women have been weaving on the back-strap loom to create clothing for their own families and for local sale. Each community has its own unique designs and patterns that are particular to that region, and the techniques and patterns are passed along through generations.

To use the loom, the weaver meticulously prepares the threads on a frame that is then positioned around them using a strap around their back. While it be made of simple parts, preparing the loom and executing intricate designs takes great skill and experience.

MEET ISABEL

Isabel is a Mayan Indigenous backstrap-loom weaving teacher, textile-lover, and Yabal’s Store Coordinator in the Yabal shop in Xela, Guatemala.

In her own words, she says that, “Mayan clothing in particular is closely tied to our culture as it is an important expression of spirituality. You could say that it is in fact a language that expresses wisdom, full of meaningful symbols based on ancient knowledge.” The intricate designs woven into each textile tell the stories of their lives, their ancestry, and their community.

VISIT THE WEAVERS WITH OG

It’s one thing to see the finished product; it’s an entirely different experience to learn how it is made from the artists themselves. On our Mayan Roots program in Guatemala, we’ll stay with the women who have mastered the art of back-strap weaving. We’ll also…

• Learn about the supply chain of coffee from De La Gente and Café La Voz.
• Engage with a reforestation project called Chico Mendes who plant trees for social and environmental justice.
• Take a 3-day trek in the Guatemalan highlands and celebrate with a relaxing stay in San Juan La Laguna.