Handmade Guatemala Huipil Bag

Handmade Guatemala Huipil Bag by Lake Atitlan Artisans.

The fabric used is handpicked from a selection of Huipil hand-woven and backstrap loom-woven textiles. The fabrics are then hand-worked into various styles and trimmed with Guatemalan leather to make each bag represent the Mayan culture of Guatemala.

The huipil is the most common traditional garment worn by indigenous women from central Mexico to Central America.

Except for very long huipils, they are generally worn with other items of clothing such as a skirt or slip. Most huipils hang loose, but some can be tied at the waist or be tucked into a skirt like a blouse. ^([1] In some cases, such as in San Juan Copala, Oaxaca, the extra length of the huipil is rolled up onto the waist when worn with a skirt. ^[7]

Women commonly have an everyday huipil and those worn only on special occasions such as weddings. ^[7] Decorative elements are often arranged in horizontal bands, but those with vertical orientation are found as well. In a number of indigenous communities, extravagant huipils made for a woman’s wedding are then carefully put away and stored to be used later for her funeral. In others, a special huipil is begun when a woman reaches a certain age for this purpose. ^{[1] [9]} Ceremonial huipils are also made to dress images of saints. During festivals, these saints can be dressed in many layers of huipils, giving them a fattened appearance. ^[1]

The garment is common among the various Mayan groups. For Mayan women in Guatemala, huipil designs on the front, back, and shoulders can identify which type of Maya is from what community. ^[8] Mayan ceremonial huipils are worn only by the statues of saints and the wives of religious officials.