Woven Through Generations

Catarina's Story

This is Catarina, a mother, a grandmother, and a weaver.

Maya Traditions Foundation

I met Catarina as part of my work with Maya Traditions Foundation and Photographers Without Borders. Maya Traditions Foundation partners with cooperatives of indigenous female artisans.

Devotion

As a nonprofit social enterprise, Maya Traditions is dedicated to facilitating access to national and international markets for Maya backstrap weaver artisans and their families in the highlands of Guatemala.

Through Her Weaving

Catarina stands proud, even though she has never finished her education she is able support her family. Through her work with Maya Traditions Foundation, she is able to sell her work for a fair wage and she participates in the social support that Maya Traditions offers, such as scholarships for her children to attend school.

Her Kitchen

Catarina lives with her family in Chirijox, Guatemala.

An Easy Smile

Catarina always had an easy smile ready. She is showing a traditional Huilpil for her region, Her niece, Elana follows her everywhere.

Little Elena

Elena, Catarina's niece wears a beautiful handwoven Huipil, the traditional clothing, still worn in the region.

A Mothers Gift

Catarina smiles at her son, Luis Miguel, while he discusses how the scholarship program enabled him to attend school.

Corn and Aloe

Corn is a staple in Guatemalan cuisine, eaten in the form of tortillas three times a day. Aloe is an important traditional medicine, with a wide variety of uses includes strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation.

Making Tortillas

Catarina is cooking tortillas in her kitchen.

Huipil

The a Huipil (pronounced wee-peel) is an embroidered blouse worn by indigenous women in Guatemala. Woven by hand on traditional back-strap looms, the patterns, passed down from generation to generation, are specific to each region hold great cultural significance and sacred meaning.

Passed Down

The skill of back-strap weaving, traditionally seen as women's work, is passed down from mothers to daughters.

Community

The individual weavers form cooperatives, working together to provide their weavings to Maya Traditions and receiving a fair market value in return. These cooperatives also provide a social support network for the women, which strengthens their communities.

Family

Catarina, a member of the Qato Q’ib of Chirijox Cooperative shows pictures of her children who were able to attend school through the scholarships they received from Maya Traditions.

Catarina

Maya Traditions Foundation has worked with over 100 women in the region, helping them sell their products at fair market value and through their programming they have supported over 500 people improve their lives through education and health.

Elena

Elena is a back strap weaver who participates in a collective of artisans.

Natural Dye

All of the weavers use natural dyes for their work.

Stained

This deep rich indigo will be used for high quality products to be sold for a fair wage through Maya Traditions Foundation.

Community

One of the benefits of going the collective is that the women build a strong network of friends.

Introductions

Near the Altilan Lake region of San Juan. Women Artisans are banding together to form cooperatives.

Ever Present

An alter in Elena's bedroom.

Winding

Weaving is passed down from generation to generation. Elena's daughter is winding the thread.

Elena's Hands

Most women in the region still wear traditional woven clothing, such as the Huipil (blouse) however, slowly times are changing as women switch to more modern blouses. That is why it is essential for these women to find markets that provide a fair wage for their products.

Elena's Family

Because of Elena's involvement in the program and through the support of Maya Traditions, her children have been able to attend school.