HILANDO HISTORIA A TRAVÉS DE TEJIDO ANCESTRAL DE SAN PEDRO LA LAGUNA, SOLOLÁ

About this Project

The Asociación Mayab’ Ixoqi’ Tejiendo Historia  is a nonprofit civil association in San Pedro La Laguna (Tz’unun Ya’), a Tz’utujil Maya community of approximately 18,000 people on the shores of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. Founded to strengthen Tz’utujil women’s leadership and participation—especially young women and emerging lideresas—the association works intergenerationally to preserve and revitalize cultural identity amid concerns over the loss of language, traditional attire, gastronomy, spirituality, values, and connection to land.

This project focuses on the ancestral backstrap loom weaving tradition of Tz’unun Ya’, which embodies history, mathematics, art, science, spirituality, and Tz’utujil identity. Through hands-on learning circles and knowledge-transfer workshops, women and youth will create diverse traditional textiles while innovating to reach broader markets. The initiative aims to empower women economically by linking their artistry to national and international promotion, establishing networks for exhibition and sales, and fostering family income and community tourism. Funds will primarily support the purchase of threads and materials, participant meals and transportation, and equipment for disseminating and expanding the reach of these Maya Tz’utujil women’s creations—ensuring the persistence of ancestral designs for future generations while promoting sustainable livelihoods rooted in cultural heritage.