Guatemalan Textiles

A lot of cultural wealth could be found within a community’s traditions and arts. The Adrian G. Marcuse Library has a large selection of textile books depicting culture from all over the world. A good number consists of Central American textiles, particularly from Guatemala. But for Mayan society, a lot of its cultural wealth can be found in its textiles. Woven textiles have a lot of significance in Guatemalan culture being a huge way of life in tradition for women and families. The Mayan cultural wealth makes these woven textiles uniquely different than any other textiles design wise. Here are some books that explain why.

Guatemalan Woven Wealth: Preserving a Rich Textile Tradition

Deborah Chandler

Confirming the idea that wealth and tradition lies within the textiles, author Deborah Chandler goes over the significance and symbolization of textiles and their patterns. Mayan textiles are known for having very detailed and intricate patterns of symbolic characters to represent culture and tradition. Where there are numerous woven structures and patterns used for fabric influenced by Mayan culture, there contains numerous meanings in each one ranging from good and evil to fertility and agriculture. Because these symbol’s roots are so ancient, there are so many interpretations based on expansion of communities in Central America creating an abundance of language dialects. No symbol has one meaning in other words. Geometrics, birds, and plants are typical in Guatemalan textile designs (Chandler, 2009, pg 7).

Weaving with the Maya: Innovation and Tradition in Guatemala

Pia Tohveri

Tohveri goes over the parallels between the process of weaving and the process of life for Guatemalan women. “Weaving skills process as the weaver gets older and her capability to weave more beautiful patterns develops with life experience,” (Tohveri, 2012, pg 115). Overall, a women capability to weave and manipulate threads was implying their life experience and worth in their community.

A Century of Change in Guatemalan Textiles

Ann Pollard Rowe

Already having an idea of what this book is in relation to, Rowe writes about the evolution of Guatemalan textiles from its origins to its influence on contemporary fashion.

Mayan textiles didn’t become fully known by the world until the 19th century. For contemporary textiles used in fashion today inspired by Mayan culture’s woven fabric, fashion retailers utilize the design elements of Mayan textiles adding a modern twist while still maintaining the heritage of symbolism and history. Mercado Global can play as a prime example of applying a modern take of a traditional and renowned textile such as Guatemalan fabrics. Mercado Global is an organization that "empowers indigenous women to overcome poverty and become agents of change in their communities." In addition to celebrating the style, they also celebrate the artisans, the indigenous women, by creating both financial and educational programs for them. The brand has collaborated with other retailers like Anthropologie and J. Crew actually to create more awareness on issues like poverty and gender inequality in Guatemala. They highlight the great significance there is with every product made. An artisan will put their soul and culture, years of tradition in each product made.

-MASR

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