Threads of Hope

Back-strap weaving has been a tradition among the Maya Kekchi women for hundreds of years. The figures and colors woven into the fabric have been passed down for centuries from mothers to their daughters and granddaughters. Passing by a dirt floor thatch-roof Kekchi home, one can observe mother and daughter with their back-strap looms tied to a tree, weaving in the shadow of the house.

First the cotton thread is washed and hung out to dry so that the dye will not bleed. Then the thread is spun on to a large wooden spool and formed into a balls ready for weaving. Brightly colored balls of threads fill the hand-woven reed basket at the weaver's side. She carefully chooses the right color combinations and wraps the threads on a long pole with pegs forming the design. When the number of threads are ready to be woven on the back-strap loom, she stretches the loom from a pole or tree to her small stool where she sits or kneels on the ground. She fixes the loom in place by attaching it to a strap around her hips. Now she is ready to weave, a process that may take several days to prepare before the weaving actually begins. Simple weavings may take a day to weave while others may take weeks depending on the design and figures used. Her hand-woven clothes are used to keep tortillas warm, wrap and carry products to the market, a bag, a shawl or a Kekchi blouse called a huipil.

For many years I admired this great art and marveled at the beautiful tradition passed down from generation to generation. I often took visitors to see my friend Dora's weaving and encouraged them to buy the cloth. Many EMM/MCC mission workers serving among the Kekchi promoted the weaving and often kept some on hand to sell to visitors. When the Mennonite World Conference Consultation was held in Guatemala a few years ago, Kekchi Mennonite weavers wove colorful bags for all the participants. Several mission workers were taught to weave by Kekchi women. One Kekchi man admired my Mother's quilts, joyfully comparing the art to the Kekchi back-strap weaving.

In the summer of 2003 Gaby Ochoa, a Mennonite woman in Guatemala City, inquired if I knew any Kekchi weavers. This question sparked the gathering of 25 women which is now called “Threads of Hope.” Dora looked for good weavers who were in need of financial assistance such as widows or single mothers to join the group. Gaby was delighted to see their weaving and stated that she would like to help them by choosing color combinations and styles that would sell in the United States, where she would be living. The Kekchi women joked about the boring colors, but they were willing to please their potential customers.

Gaby met with the weavers and me several times over the next months and gave us ideas of how to perfect the weaving to please the tourist's eye. The women learned quickly how to add decorative knots to enhance the beauty of their cloth. They were taught to follow color schemes and patterns within the cloth and to begin and end with the same designs. Little hints made their weaving more sellable, though not necessarily pleasing to their own Kekchi eyes. Paper patterns were made to standardize the size of each item since most of the women cannot read or write, making it easier for them to measure the cloth. Buying the threads in bulk made the thread cheaper and standardized the colors for future orders. Each week the women were given assignments with the color combinations and pattern. We were all delighted with the end result. The women showed their products with pride. It was fun to see the delight on their faces as visitors admired their weaving and listened to the story of the co-op. More and more weavers asked to be added to this enthusiastic weaving group, but we decided to keep the number at 25-30 women until there are sufficient sales to keep them busy.

Bi-weekly meetings consist of many activities. The women gather in the morning bringing their products: matching place mats and napkins, table runners, dresser scarves, shawls, bags, bread basket liners, and tablecloths. Two expert weavers do the quality control. All the products are measured and examined closely before the product is bought. When there are problems, the experts explain how to improve the weaving, and changes need to be made. Some women fold and tie a ribbon around the matching sets of napkinsplace mats placemats, and table runner. Each woman writes her name on a small promotional tag and ties it to her weaving which personalizes the item. Karen Tidwell, EMM mission worker, gives out the assignments by drawing a little diagram and writing in the colors and design. Other women are involved in selling the thread which matches the assignment. The treasurer pays for the weaving once it has been approved. At the end of the day the women have a short Biblical reflection and discuss the co-op business.

Karen and Allan Tidwell and I have assisted the women in developing the organization, accounting, quality control and styles. We have also promoted the work of the cooperative by showing the weaving to visitors and other potential buyers, making a promotional brochure, buying the thread, and forming orders. Sales have been far greater than we could have imagined. Several small start-up donations have been used to increase the stock inventory and buy necessary items for the co-op. Each member of the co-op has participated with her own funds to help buy supplies and incorporate.

Satisfaction is high for all of us who have been involved with these creative Kekchi women who are excited about their newly birthed cooperative. They have expressed thanks to all who have supported them by buying their weaving. It has helped many to send their children to school and put food on the table. A non-profit organization called Mayan Traditions is planning to help by promoting the weaving in fair trade stores in the US. The future of Thread of Hope has exciting potential.

Linda Witmer
May 5, 2004