Am I Smelly?

Am I Smelly?, originally uploaded by PAL1970.

Waiting for Her

Waiting for Her, originally uploaded by PAL1970.

Matilda

Matilda, originally uploaded by PAL1970.

This is Matilda, a 74 year old Maya woman of the Kakchikel ethnic group, one of the two main mayan groups in Guatemala. She has woven textiles all her life, and is very proud to be able to teach new generations her trade.

The Weaving Hand

The Weaving Hand, originally uploaded by PAL1970.

Matilda is a 74 year old Maya woman of the Caq' chiquel ethnic group, one of the two main mayan groups in Guatemala. She has woven textiles all her life, and is very proud to be able to teach new generations her trade. Tomorrow I'll post a full shot of Matilda at work. You can find her at the Antigua Guatemala Handcrafts market.

Handbags

Handbags, originally uploaded by PAL1970.

These handbags or purses are handmade from the "huipil" a pure cotton blouse worn by Mayan women. The indigenous dress' colors and designs are specific to each village. Since these hare highly costly and the "westernization" process of our native culture has advanced a lot, mayan people are slowly abandoning their traditional garments.

Guatemalan Textiles

Guatemalan Textiles, originally uploaded by PAL1970.

These are handmade from pure cotton. In the picture you can see mantelpieces, napkins and hotplate holders. Guatemalan indigenous people wear a different type of dress according to the village of their origin. Each village has its colors and designs.

Mascaras

Mascaras, originally uploaded by PAL1970.

Guatemalans of Mayan ascent celebrate religious festivities and happy occasions with a "Baile de Moros", these are representations of various stories, through their eyes. There is the "Baile de la Conquista" (Dance of the Conquest of the Americas), the actual "Baile de Moros" (Moors dance, an actual representation of the Christian liberation of Spain from moor hands) and several stories from the bible. In these dances, the actors, dressed in character, perform their moves and dialog. The dresses include the use of masks, which can take the form of a Mayan Lord, a Spanish Conquistador, a Moor, or the witch counselor. The witch is usually presented as an animal... such as the masks in the image.