Real Mayan Textiles or Fakes
How to know if you are buying real Mayan Textiles or Fakes.
The pictures are a few unique and rare designs.
  • First, let us consider this: Only cotton is used in Mayan textiles. Cotton is farmed nearby. Bamboo’s velvety smoothness is making it more and more popular.
  • Cleaning the cotton is the first step.
  • Before dyeing, the cotton is then hand-spuned into balls.
  • The method of dying is based on the application of brilliant, colors say red from cochineal, which is present on a variety of cacti, as well as herbs and roots.
  • A skilled weaver may complete a scarf in a single day using the backstrap loom, which is what the Mayan people utilize.
  • It could take a week or more, depending on the item, to go from cotton to final products.
The finished product is also stain-resistant because during the dying process. The pseudostem of the banana plant contains tannins, which act as a mordant in natural dyeing. A mordant helps the dye adhere to the fabric.
The pseudostem itself isn’t the dye, but rather a helper ingredient in the dyeing process.
Although Antigua has numerous shops, you want to deal with a weaver or know who manufactured it and where it came from. Most people use Antigua as a base and then drive to Lake Atitlan. I will start with Antigua for suggestions of where you can locate true Mayan textiles.
Indulge in the timeless beauty of traditional Guatemalan textiles at Nimpot. Handwoven by talented Guatemalan women using age-old techniques, our textiles showcase the intricate patterns and vibrant colors that define Guatemala’s rich cultural textiles.
Mercado Central of Antigua Guatemala history. This is a bustling market offering a variety of fresh produce, textiles, and crafts. It’s a great place to experience local culture and buy souvenirs. Even without a specific date, the Mercado Central reflects Antigua Guatemala’s long history as a trading hub and cultural center.
Moving on to Lake Atitlan. There are around 11 towns and villages situated around the shores of Lake Atitlan. Each depending on the size and tourist popularity you will find small local shops.
Ladies weaving or offering workshops. The smaller the village the more authentic their designs because? The colors, patterns, and motifs used in these huipiles act as a kind of identifier, allowing you to tell which village a woman is from just by looking at her clothing.
Santa Catarina Palopo and San Antonio Palaopo are small villages on the Pana side of the Lake.
Santiago is famous for traditional huipiles, San Juan Lema Weavers founded in 1983, and San Pedro, Guatemala Sur Mesure.
If you hire a guide make it clear you want to not only see his or her suggested shops, because some guides get a cut on purchases from larger shops for bringing guests.
Finally Chi Chi Market, I always suggest to travelers not go on Market days, Thursdays, and Sundays.