In recent times, weaving has also provided Mayan women and villagers with an important part of their local economy. Through weaving, and in the face of intense colonial programs to convert all of the indigenous inhabitants to Catholicism, the Mayan women weavers preserve and enhance the history and the worldview that had been expressed for the last three thousand years or more. Since the arrival of Europeans, women have used the loom as a place to weave images and symbols into textile patterns that tell stories. The art of weaving, traditionally practiced in the form of back-strap weaving, is also important for the Mayan people in modern history. ![]() As one of the most important and sacred figures in Mayan religion and mythology, we can see how the art and practice of weaving is equal in life-importance to such essential elements as the moon, water and the birth of a new life itself. Ixchel (Eesh- chell) was the goddess of the moon, of water, of childbirth and of weaving. How does weaving act as a tool for organization among women? In what ways do the videos portray the Mayan art of weaving (ancient or modern technical or basic)? How does Mayan back-strap weaving relate to tourism and to ourselves as consumers here in the north? As the students begin formulating ideas about Mayan women and the art of weaving, here is some important background information. Having the students watch the Mayan Hands’ back-strap weaving videos is an amazing opportunity to use media on the web to bring a far-away cultural reality into the classroom.Īfter watching the videos, students should try and answer the following questions, as well as any others they might formulate or be inspired to ask. Mayan weaving is known for a refined and unique style called back-strap weaving. Mostly, it is the women in these communities who take up the art of weaving at a very young age in fact, weaving is synonymous with a birth-rite for many Mayan girls and is considered an essential part of community life. Most warping boards are 5-6 feet long and if there are no legs on the board it is simply laid on the ground.Mayan Hands is an organization that promotes the social, economic and historical importance of weaving among Mayan communities in the highlands of Guatemala. The warping board is also handcrafted of wood and is used to design the pattern of colors and stripes wanted in the weaving. A yarn winder is usually handcrafted of local wood and at times an old bicycle wheel is recycled into a yarn winder which will make winding yarn a little more efficient. Most weavers in the rural western areas of Guatemala still use very simple tools to prep and warp the yarn. The drawing below shows a typical loom set up by the Mayan women in Guatemala, however the set up can vary from village to village just like the designs and colors of the textiles vary. However, it is becoming a lost art among the younger women in the larger cities of Guatemala. Many girls living in the rural areas where traditional ways are strong are still being taught to weave. Weaving on a backstrap loom in Guatemala is traditionally done by women and although Mayan women weave textiles for their own home use, many weave items to sell to the tourist markets in the larger cities.Ī backstrap weaving loom is a primitive set up of just 6-8 sticks/rods and a backstrap belt with rope to tie the loom to a post or tree. It can be rolled up and set in a corner between weaving sessions. ![]() ![]() Typically made of 7 rods, these looms can be set up easily in small spaces in the home and doesn’t need an entire room like a large foot pedal floor loom. The looms have changed very little through the centuries. Many examples of early woven textiles have been found and preserved from the regions of South and Central America. One of the traditions in the Mayan villages of Guatemala is that of backstrap weaving, a form of weaving which is known to have been practiced since about 2500 BC in the Americas. Preserving the culture and traditions of artisans is an important aspect of Fair Trade. Preserving Traditional Weaving, The Backstrap Loom
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