GUATEMALA CLOTHING Mayan Huipil Blouse

Vintage blouse woven on a traditional back strap loom by a Maya women from Guatemala. Made of cotton, similar to a sweatshirt. In Spanish is called huipil and has been worn by Mayan woman for centuries. The weave or design of each huipil can identify her individual personality and the village she is from, as well as her marital, social, wealth, and religious status. The patterns and meanings on the huipil have remained the same over the years since the ancient Maya civilization. The designs are created by weaving colored yarns into the cloth as it is being woven. The process is called brocade, which is different than embroidery where the threads are stitched into the completed garment. The weaver sometimes will use natural dyes, such as flowers, plants, insects, bark, or berries. When a huipil is finished it is a work of art and can sometimes take months to complete.

Artisans in Guatemala make and sell huipils to help to support their families and improve their living conditions, but they are also an important part of culture and are worn widely among the natives of Guatemala. They will continue to reflect femininity, identity, and tradition through the generations. One-of-a-kind.

• 100% Cotton 
• Cotton Yarn
• Natural Dye 

Length: 21″
Bust: 22″
Waist: 23″
Shoulder: 23.5″
Arm opening: 6″

GUATEMALAN CULTURE  >>

By  Xhullu

This video gives a glimpse into the art of weaving on a backstrap loom. It takes Rosa, an expert Ixil-Maya weaver, about 10 minutes to finish one line of her intricate design, with her fingers counting out the threads and filling in the different colors. She is making a blouse. We filmed this in the village of Ilom in the town of Chajul, Quiché, Guatemala.