TRAMA Textiles was born out of the most desperate and devastating times of the Civil War in Guatemala when most of the men -- grandfathers, fathers, brothers, and sons, disappeared, and the women were forced to find a way to survive and support their households and communities.

 

Today, the 100% worker-owned association, comprising of over 400 weavers from the five regions in the western highlands and from 17 weaving cooperatives, proudly continue the ancient textile art of backstrap weaving that has sustained their culture and communities for over 1,500 years. TRAMA enables the women to produce high quality fair-trade textile goods for national and international markets.

 

Shot entirely in Guatemala, from the association's retail shop and weaving school in Quetzaltenango to the women's homes in the western highlands, TRAMA Textiles: Tejiendo la Vida de Guatemala presents its viewers with an intimate look at the women's lives, their craft, and a chance to hear their stories in their own words.

 

Read more about TRAMA here and learn how you can support the women and their families.

 

Part of my Guatemala Set

 

[ San Martín Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, Centro America ]

[ Junio 2008]