Fragments of Mayan ceremonial superhuipiles.

Nahualá, K’iché ethnic group, Sololá, Guatemala.

Base fabrics made from cotton yarn, and silk threads for ornamental brocade. Its unique beauty is the result of its brocade weaving technique (additional wefts introduced during the basic weaving process) combining the colors at the time of drawing the figures. These special pieces show the traditional ornamental aesthetics of this ethnic group in all its profusion and splendor, simplified during the 20th century for reasons of modernity and due to the disappearance of the old Mayan weavers.

Measures. Piece 1: Length: 68 cm / 26.77 in. Width: 42 cm / 16.53 in. Fringes: 10 cm / 3.93 in. Piece 2: Length: 70 cm / 27.55 in. Width: 40 cm / 15.78 in. Fringes: 12 cm / 4.72 in.

The isolation -common to all mountain people- has notably preserved the characteristics of their clothing crafts. Thus it is that the seasoned eye can discover with some ease the origin of his textile pieces: “Nahualá's costume is very easy to recognize. The white huipil differs from the others by the use of geometric motifs, made up of small diamonds of many colors and of wild animals such as tigers (jaguars) or lions." (1) And on the same page cited, the authors insist: "The colors" run "or" stained "in these garments, as well as in the huipiles, are not an aesthetic impediment and are considered beautiful”.

Nahualá, previously called Nagualá, is a small municipality of about 200 km2, belonging to the department of Sololá. It is located in the middle of the Guatemalan highlands at 2467 meters above sea level.

Note:

1. Hosbecke, Mireille - Montoya, Julia: Mayan Fabrics. The face of woven words and thoughts. Ed Cholsamaj, Guatemala, 2008, p. 41.