Association of Ixil Women

Shop all Association of Ixil Women products

Our Association of Ixil Women is located in the heart of Guatemala and in the hearts of its members, who number more than 100 women from a number of Maya communities. In 2012, with assistance of local organizations, these women organized their efforts to promote their weavings and crafts to earn a living and improve their families' quality of life, a member explains.

"Although the association is relatively new, it has already had an impact on our lives. Today, we are earning more with the skills we've learned since we were young. Each one of the group's designs depicts the community's traditional and cultural motifs, which fills the artisans with pride and happiness.

"Members also work and train in different areas. One works with maguey or agave, also called the 'tree of wonders.' The ancient Maya were aware of this because they used these fibers a lot. Now, she has taught us to extract threads from the pencas, or inner leaves of the maguey and agave plants. Members also weave on backstrap looms and create beautiful embroidery by hand in bright colors. Our traditional design motifs depict the cosmovision and political-religious traditions of the ancient Maya.

"This is a very important moment for the Association of Ixil Women because we're entering a new market, which motivates us to keep working and improving everyday."