Mayan Culture Vultures
AJAYA'S CRUISE
Phil & Nikki Hoskins
Tue 2 Aug 2011 17:16
|
We took a tour of the Museo Casa del Tejido in
Antigua run entirely by indigenous people. Those of us not too familiar
with Mayan culture felt we could learn a few things - this trip to Antigua
wasn't only to eat, drink and be merry although there were more restaurants and
bars in the town than museums. Naturally we felt justified in spending a
proportionate amount of time in each type of establishment.
This turned out to be an interesting couple of hours as we
were guided by a knowledgeable member of staff through various sections
depicting Mayan culture, dress and food. There was a young Guatemalan lady sat
on the floor weaving with a back-strap loom which was fascinating to learn
about. When asked how long this piece of cloth would take to make the
reply came back in Spanish about one month. Wow - that's a long time and a lot
of work for such a small piece.
 
Our back strap
weaver
Mayan dress - note earthenware pots for
heads.
Every region makes a different colour and pattern of cloth.
The ladies also wear a belt with their skirty bit, a thin one for unmarried and
a wider belt for married. Quite a good idea we think. Later in the tour, having
looked at a larger timber frame loom which must have dramatically cut the time
required to make the garments one of our party offered to be a guinea pig and be
dressed in typical Mayan costume, whilst nearby a demonstration of tortilla
making was underway, assisted by our lady previously seen in the backstrap loom
at the start of the tour.
   A 'back-ache' loom which must have cut the weaving
time by many days and Faye trying on her typical Mayan
outfit
Tortillas made in a large flat heated pan (this pic was taken in the market
place)
The end of the tour magically turned out to be in the shopping
section where there were hundreds, if not thousands of beautifully made cloths
of different weaves. We all bought something as a souvenir to take
back to our boats. 
Why the long face? Just spent money!
|