Maya Hair Sashes - Backstrap Woven in Jacaltenango, Guatemala
Author: Carol Ventura
In Mesoamerica, weaving was a woman's domain until the introduction of the treadle loom by the Spanish in the sixteenth century. Most Maya women continue to weave on the pre-Columbian backstrap loom between chores. Although backstrap weaving is not as fast as treadle loom weaving, the loom parts are inexpensive and the loom is portable. The warp on a backstrap loom is stretched between a support and the weaver's body. The width of the woven fabric is usually not more than thirty inches wide, the reach of the weaver. The cloth is usually woven to the exact size that is needed and can be woven with selvedges on all four sides.
All of the photographs and information on this page are from the updated bilingual edition of Maya Hair Sashes Backstrap Woven in Jacaltenango, Guatemala / Cintas mayas tejidas con el telar de cintura en Jacaltenango, Guatemala. This 2003 book features the beautiful sashes worn in the hair of Jakaltek women, from both anthropological and artistic perspectives. The 176 page paperback book includes 38 illustrations, 116 black and white photographs, and 15 color photographs.
