THE HUIPIL, FALDA, & CORTE OF GUATEMALA
Trip Start
Jul 04, 2010
1
119
163
Trip End
May 10, 2011
Where I stayed
Hotel Kiktem-Ja
Quetzaltenango, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Monday, January 10, 2011
We attended a talk outlining the traditional dress of the local women in Xela. It was given by Magali de Reyes. I did not take notes but will outline some of it here as accurately as I can.
BACKGROUND: The Spaniards, who invaded the region in the 1500's, compelled the local indigenous population to wear prescribed colors, different for each of the various geographical areas, so they could easily tell where any person was from. In time, the local indigenous women incorporated Maya symbols into the designs. The Spaniards no longer rule but the custom of dress remained. For men, as they began competing with non-Mayan for jobs in the towns, discontinued the practice of wearing the traditional clothing so they could blend in and reduce the amount of discrimination. However, in the some remote agricultural areas dominated by Maya descendants, the custom among men continue. The high village of Totos Santos and some of the villages around lake Atitlan are the more well known places where you can visit to see the men in their traditional clothing. The women, who traditionally work in the home, do not feel the need to change their habits of dress for employment purposes. It is quite common to see women and young girls wearing the colorful clothing today.
THE HUIPIL: The tops are the most important. The embroidered design around the colar often is a Maya representation of the sun. Birds are often in the designs as are serpents and other revered animals. Other Huipil will be dominated by flowers. Some of the designs are layed out in gemotrical patterns representing the points of a compass, N-S-E-W. The nicer ones are made in 3 sections and stitched together. Some are made in 4 sections. They take up to 4 months to make. Many families have a member who can make the Huipil. Others have to buy them. On a final note, there is a specal huipil for funeral that is less ornate, less colorful and incorporates black into the design. The wedding huipil is the the most detailed and often passed down through generations. Huipil worn daily are washed about once a week.
CORTE: The multi color skirts are woven by men on foot looms in towns surrounding Xela. They are sold in 4 meter sections are sewn at the center with colorful band a string through the waist makes it a one-size-fits-all.
FAJA: The sash like belts are woven too.
OTHER ADORNMENT: Pañuelo, on their heads, or cintas, four- or five-foot-long colorful ribbons that are braided into their shiny, waist long black hair. A decorated delantal (apron) completes the costume.
