Guatemalan Huipiles: Mayan Tradition, Culture, and History

Guatemalan Huipiles: Mayan Tradition, Culture, and History

Oct 10, 2022

 

What is a “huipil”?


A huipil (pronounced; ui · pil) is a form of “traje tradicional” or “traditional dress” worn by women in parts of Mexico and throughout Guatemala. The name comes from the Nahuatl word huīpīlli  and its origins are as complex, storied, and symbolic as the Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent deity of Mayan lore.



(an assortment of huipil textiles in Chichicastenango Market, the largest market in Guatemala)

 

The many indigenous cultures of Guatemala


Guatemala is home to 25 different indigenous groups and 24 different languages, 22 of which are of Mayan origins. Each hand-loomed huipil represents the unique history of each indigenous group through the artistry, colors, weaving pattern, and craftsmanship that have been passed down from generation to generation amongst these groups. 

 

hand loomed natural fiber huipil by indigenous woman in Guatemala

(Doña Nacha Ignacia hand looming using traditional naturally dyed "maguey" or agave fibers with Rising Minds NGO in San Pedro la Laguna, Lake Atitlan)

 

What are huipiles made from?


Huipiles are traditionally hand loomed on back strap looms using cotton, or agave fibers, a form of weaving that dates back to 2500 BC. Indigo, coffee, tree bark, seashells, and other natural materials were traditionally used to dye the fabric before looming. The Spanish introduced new fibers such as wool and silk. Now, polyester, rayon, and acrylic fibers are used. While most traje tradicional huipiles are still made using traditional practices, less expensive machine-made huipiles are starting to gain popularity in Guatemala. Whether handmade or machine-made, each one-of-a-kind huipil is a true textile artform that celebrates the colorful culture and historical significance of indigenous groups of the nation. 

 

colorful Xela huipil textiles from Guatemala

(Colorful hand loomed huipiles from the Xela, Quetzaltenango)


The many stories of huipiles


Each huipil has a story to tell… whether it represents the beauty of the sun reflecting off of a lake, like the huipiles of San Juan la Laguna, or to paint a picture of ethereal multicolored horses and birds like those of the Nebaj. Zig zag patterns can symbolize mountains, volcanoes, or the ups and downs of life, while animals, trees, and cosmic designs represent a large breadth of Mayan mythology, and carry different meanings depending on where they are woven. 

 

beautiful colorful Mayan street art of an old indigenous woman in front of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
(Mayan street art in San Pedro La Laguna, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala)

Guatemalan and Mayan Color Symbolism


Guatemala is a colorful country, and those colors are reflected throughout the man-made and natural world. Rich hues are present in everything from art and architecture through the rich jungle canopies, dry deserts, luscious lakes, rugged coastlines, and mystical volcanoes of the nation. Each color has its own symbolic meaning:


Blue - water and sky, oceans, lakes, rivers, and more specifically mighty Lake Atitlan, a collapsed volcanic crater that was once the largest in the Americas
White - the North, air, promise, hope, and spirituality
Red - the East, daytime, energy, power, blood, and sunrise 
 
Black - the West, nighttime, war, death, and sunset
Yellow - the South, sunshine, and corn or maize, which is a cornerstone of Mayan and Guatemalan culture
Green - verdant jungles, plants, and the royal Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala which is thought to be related to the Quetzalcoatl, the originator of the universe 
 
 
colorful mayan street art of man in traditional dress in San Juan la Laguna, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
(Vibrant modern street art celebrating the colorful Traje Tradicional and culture of San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala)

 

 

Like the mythical Quetzalcoatl, colorful huipil fabrics are deeply symbolic of Mayan culture and history. This artform supports countless communities, families, indigenous groups and individuals while helping to keep ancient traditions alive. Did you know that these huipil fabrics are used to make more than huipiles? They are also make traje tradicional for indigenous men, hats, bags, and other accessories. In order to support this cultural artform and help bring it to the world, we have teamed up with leather artisans around Lake Atitlan in Guatemala who have turned these one of a kind textiles into beautiful leather huipil bags, huipil leather belts, and handmade dog collars. 

 


 

Check out our line of huipil infused leather goods handmade by artisans in Lake Atitlan. The beautiful huipiles come from San Martín Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango, the Mam of Todos Santos, Huehuetenango, the Ixil of Nebaj, Quiché, and many other indigenous groups and communities around the country.

beautiful handmade leather huipil bags from Guatemala



Each one of a kind Guatemalan huipil accessory is a usable piece of art… Which one will you get?

Link to share

Use this link to share the article with a friend.

Best selling