Tecpán Guatemala (3 of 8)

The Elegance of Tecpan is Seen Through the Clothing The first thing that catches the eye is the artistically crafted Kaqchikel Maya dress. The greatest elegance belongs to the woman, whose huipil is a book of worldview and culture, open to all who behold it. The arch or kumatzin, a broken figure that crosses the ceremonial huipil, symbolizes Q'uq'kumatz, the feathered serpent, a graphic representation of the Maya concept of the Creator and Former, the Heart of Heaven and Heart of Earth. The star or ch'umil, in the shape of a rhombus with straight lines, represents the cosmos with its four sides and angles, and the four vital forces (air, fire, earth, and water). The colocho, a rhombus-shaped motif with curled lines at its ends, represents animals, plants, people, and nawales (spirit guides), all arranged around a central rhomboid figure representing Ajaw, another name for God. The same principle applies to the other figures and color combinations; each figure carries a message to the world. The weaving process is like a synthesis of a vast body of knowledge and techniques accumulated over thousands of years. Generally speaking, weaving involves several activities, such as spinning, done with the help of the b'atz'ib'aí (spinner); warping, which involves carefully placing the thread, counting in groups of twenty, on the instrument called the q'inab'al; and sizing, which is done with a special corn gruel to give the threads the necessary consistency for proper weaving. The weaving, which is the activity of weaving, using a set of sticks, a waist harness, ropes to hold the fabric, colored threads and a lot of creativity to shape the work of art, which will be ready after approximately two months.