THE HUIPIL
If you want to know about Ixchel Triangle you must first understand what a huipil is. Huipils are garments worn by indigenous woman from central Mexico to central America. They are traditionally hand woven on a loom and are commonly worn by Mayan women. The huipil has additional significance for the Mayan women of Guatemala, as the woven design can also identify what type of Maya they are and which community they come from.
When a person travels to Guatemala the first thing many people notice is its vibrant rich colors! Huipils are a major source of this color. They represent so much more then fashion. Each huipil is unique, tells a story, is handmade, and has a purpose. They really are hand woven pieces of art, whose colors and designs represent the villages and life stories of the women who weave them. I think there is no better way to share the Mayan culture then to create products using the huipil. I like the idea of life and story being woven together. This never stops but continues through generations and cultures. Through using the huipil we are weaving and adding a new story to an old tradition.
Huipils are complicated, time consuming, and a labor of love. For all these reasons, they are very expensive. If an indigenous woman does not have the skills or ability to make her own Huipil, it will cost her on average $300 to have one made. A few years ago while visiting friends in Guatemala, my grandmother and I were invited to a meal in the village of a long-time family friend. We were greated by young Emily adorned in a huipil, cortes, and a sash. She looked stunningly beautiful. Emily later explained that her family couldn't afford to own the Huipil. In order to honor us as their guests Emily's family rented this traditional attire for her to wear. Honored? Yes, we were definitely honored.