Scenery
In the Mayan clothing suit of San Pedro Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, which is part of the “Mayan textile tradition” series, highlights the representation of the tree of life, which symbolizes abundance, fertility and regeneration.
In the Mayan clothing suit of San Pedro Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, highlights the representation of the tree of life, which symbolizes abundance, fertility and regeneration. (Free Press Photo: Juan Diego González)
This outfit consists of several pieces made with ancestral textile techniques.
The two canvases huipil is made in waist loom, with mercerized cotton threads. The cuts of the cut, tissues in loom standing with cotton threads, are united with handmade embroidery with a randa point. The suit is complemented with a colored headdress rates made with commercial fabric. In the past there were 12 slats, made in silk and with bird designs.
Designs
- Linguistic community: Kaqchikel
- Ceremonial use
In the huipil, brocked motifs that include zoomorphic and fitomorphic figures, Among which are the symbol of the tree of life, known in Kaqchikel as Kotz’i’jan. This represents abundance, fertility and regenerationvalues closely associated with women and life, because from their branches fruits and flowers emerge that evoke the life cycle and connection with nature.
In addition, You can see the figure of the dead turkey, representation of the offering delivered by the parents of the boyfriend to those of the bride on the wedding day. This is recognized in the Huipil for being a bird with the neck folded back, a feature that distinguishes it from the living chompipe, which is also weaved in the huipil.
Fountain: Symbols that are sownBárbara Knoke de Arathoon, Ixchel Museum of the indigenous suit, 2005
Related readings
Related readings
This is one of the costumes that belong to The collection of IXCHEL Museum of the indigenous suit, whose support for the publication of this series is fundamental, especially that of its director and curator, Violeta Gutiérrez.
- The information on Mayan clothing costumes presented in this space depends on the temporality and context of the documents and people consulted by the Ixchel Museum.
- In the Mayan textile tradition, elements such as trends in each community influence the personal taste of the bearers and creators of this tradition. In some cases, the data is scarce or vague.