Photo Essay: Textures of Guatemala

A trip to Guatemala will entice and delight the lover of textiles. Indigenous people of the highland communities still weave as their ancestors did on backstrap looms and produce beautiful and brightly colored textiles. Women and girls, and occasionally men and boys continue to wear traditional Mayan clothing or Traje on a daily basis, and can be observed all over Guatemala. Each outfit identifies the village of the wearer, though the colors and styles have evolved over the years. The huipil or blouses worn by the women are exquisitely made, with hand-woven fabric and cotton or silk embroidered designs. Men wear bright, hand woven shirts, pants and rodilleras or skirts. It is primarily in the highlands, populated by the Mayan people, that the beautiful, intricate Traje can be seen, and the variety of styles, materials, designs and embroidery is intricate and eye-catching.