Guatemalan Weavers

Weavers of Todos Santos

22 Oct 2014 | From Richie of Guatemala

POSTCROSSING FRIEND

Guatemalan weaving is an ancient Maya tradition that dates backs some 1,200 years ago. Mostly it is the women that have been weaving but traditionally it is the men who operate the foot-powered loom. This traditional Maya treadle loom is used to weave multi-purpose cotton fabric, corte fabric, scarves among other textiles. Weaving is as much a part of the day's domestic duties as cooking, cleaning, working in the fields, and caring for children.

Shown in the postcard is a Guatemalan woman weaving a textile on a backstrap loom in Todos Santos, a municipality in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango. The population of Todos Santos is predominantly indigenous, of Mayan descent, most of whom still speak the Mayan language of Mam. The town is one of few places in Guatemala where indigenous men still wear their traditional clothing, along with the women.