Santa María de Jesús is a community that preserves its native language and traditional clothing. In fact, its population is 99.5% Maya Kaqchikel. Guatemalan Indigenous women are considered transmitters of historical and cultural memory. Today, in Guatemala, it is primarily women who weave and wear traditional garments, crafted using the backstrap loom. The production of Maya textiles, alongside agriculture, is one of the main pillars of the economy in these communities and a crucial source of employment for women.
The women’s weaving group Aj Piecha from Santa María de Jesús actively defends their ancestral textile art against plagiarism, fashion trends, and the decline of traditional Maya clothing. This project aims to empower Guatemalan women and safeguard their identity and socio-economic well-being by providing materials for textile production, organizing classes, workshops, and
events that highlight their ancestral art, culture, and historical significance.
