Totonicapán Pair of small dolls by Feliza Velásco
Embroidery
9"x3"
Maya K'iche man
This doll celebrates the traditional clothing of men from the highlands of Guatemala. The outfit includes short pants that are worn at the knee. You might notice that the fabric used, called ‘corte’, is unique on the back, as it consists of four different pieces sewn together in a way that forms a perfect cross, symbolizing unity. The outfit is completed with a jacket elegantly embroidered in red silk, adorned with fringes that dance on the back; this silk symbolizes rain and abundance. As a charming note, in the early twentieth century, indigenous men proudly wore their jackets without shirts beneath, embracing the tradition of revealing their belly buttons—a true symbol of pride.
Maya K'iche woman
The huipil is a traditional garment worn by Maya women, it’s geometric patterns whisper tales of volcanoes, majestic mountains, and the mythical feathered serpent. The head opening represents the sun, its rays shining across the huipil in all four cardinal directions. When a woman puts on her huipil she is situating herself in the center of the world. Crafted from three different fabrics, the huipil is woven on a backstrap loom by women of Chichicastenango. Paired with a skirt known as corte, these garments tell stories of their origins, reflecting the spirit of the community that lovingly weaves it into existence.
Embroidery
9"x3"
Maya K'iche man
This doll celebrates the traditional clothing of men from the highlands of Guatemala. The outfit includes short pants that are worn at the knee. You might notice that the fabric used, called ‘corte’, is unique on the back, as it consists of four different pieces sewn together in a way that forms a perfect cross, symbolizing unity. The outfit is completed with a jacket elegantly embroidered in red silk, adorned with fringes that dance on the back; this silk symbolizes rain and abundance. As a charming note, in the early twentieth century, indigenous men proudly wore their jackets without shirts beneath, embracing the tradition of revealing their belly buttons—a true symbol of pride.
Maya K'iche woman
The huipil is a traditional garment worn by Maya women, it’s geometric patterns whisper tales of volcanoes, majestic mountains, and the mythical feathered serpent. The head opening represents the sun, its rays shining across the huipil in all four cardinal directions. When a woman puts on her huipil she is situating herself in the center of the world. Crafted from three different fabrics, the huipil is woven on a backstrap loom by women of Chichicastenango. Paired with a skirt known as corte, these garments tell stories of their origins, reflecting the spirit of the community that lovingly weaves it into existence.
Embroidery
9"x3"
Maya K'iche man
This doll celebrates the traditional clothing of men from the highlands of Guatemala. The outfit includes short pants that are worn at the knee. You might notice that the fabric used, called ‘corte’, is unique on the back, as it consists of four different pieces sewn together in a way that forms a perfect cross, symbolizing unity. The outfit is completed with a jacket elegantly embroidered in red silk, adorned with fringes that dance on the back; this silk symbolizes rain and abundance. As a charming note, in the early twentieth century, indigenous men proudly wore their jackets without shirts beneath, embracing the tradition of revealing their belly buttons—a true symbol of pride.
Maya K'iche woman
The huipil is a traditional garment worn by Maya women, it’s geometric patterns whisper tales of volcanoes, majestic mountains, and the mythical feathered serpent. The head opening represents the sun, its rays shining across the huipil in all four cardinal directions. When a woman puts on her huipil she is situating herself in the center of the world. Crafted from three different fabrics, the huipil is woven on a backstrap loom by women of Chichicastenango. Paired with a skirt known as corte, these garments tell stories of their origins, reflecting the spirit of the community that lovingly weaves it into existence.
