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2007-2013
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Purchase Fair Trade Artisan Handcrafts
in our Online Store
Backstrap looms and more!
in our Online Store
Backstrap looms and more!
Backstrap Loom Weaving
in Guatemala
Backstrap weaving is an ancient art practiced for centuries in many parts of the world. Peru,
Guatemala, China, Japan, Bolivia, and Mexico are a few of the places they use the
backstrap loom. Today it is still used on a daily basis in many parts of Guatemala by
Mayan women to weave fabrics for clothing and other household cloths.
The looms are simple - typically 6 sticks- usually handmade by the
weaver. A backstrap loom is easily portable because it can simply be
rolled up and laid aside when not in use. The back rod is tied to a tree
or post while weaving and the other end has a strap that encircles the
waist and the weaver can move back or forward to produce the needed
tension. The weaver usually sits on the ground but as the person ages
that is more difficult and they may use a small stool.
In the western highlands of Guatemala the women have typically
used cotton yarn for their weavings and used natural plants from
their area to dye the yarn various colors. They still tint yarn by hand
but also buy cotton yarn that's already been chemically dyed. The
natural tints are softer colors than chemical dyes. These natural
tints come from plants and bark such as:
sacatinta - a blue color
coconut shell - brown
carrots - orange
achote - soft orange/peach
hibiscus flower - rosy pink
chilca - soft yellow
bark of the avocado tree - beige
quilete - celery green
guayabe - brown / gold
sacatinta & coconut shell - gray
coconut shell - brown
carrots - orange
achote - soft orange/peach
hibiscus flower - rosy pink
chilca - soft yellow
bark of the avocado tree - beige
quilete - celery green
guayabe - brown / gold
sacatinta & coconut shell - gray
Typical sitting style of the Mayan
weavers while weaving.
Naturally tinted cotton yarns hanging to dry.
See more backstrap loom photos on our
Flickr Photo Albums
or in the Facebook Backstrap Weaving page
Flickr Photo Albums
or in the Facebook Backstrap Weaving page
The backstrap loom, also known as the belt loom or telar de
cinteron, can make different widths of fabric depending of the width
of the rods. Guatemalan artisan weavers can weave as narrow as a
belt or as large as 24 - 26 inch width and perhaps more.
If a cloth needs to be wider, the two pieces are joined together with heavy embroidery stitches. An example of this would be the corte (the skirt) of the Mayan women, which if hand-woven would have the pieces joined with embroidery stitches.
Many weavers incorporate intricate embroidery patterns within their weavings.
If a cloth needs to be wider, the two pieces are joined together with heavy embroidery stitches. An example of this would be the corte (the skirt) of the Mayan women, which if hand-woven would have the pieces joined with embroidery stitches.
Many weavers incorporate intricate embroidery patterns within their weavings.
Many colorful designs and patterns
are woven by the artisans.
are woven by the artisans.
Stay Connected
Education And More
is a Christian, Fair Trade charitable organization providing assistance to artisans and their families through educational opportunities and Fair Trade
is a Christian, Fair Trade charitable organization providing assistance to artisans and their families through educational opportunities and Fair Trade
Backstrap weaving is a part
of the culture of the western
highlands of Guatemala.
Young girls begin learning
how to weave at about 7
years of age. By the time
girls are ready to marry and
have their own home they are
extemely skilled weavers.
Education And More is a Fair Trade organization and part of our mission is to educate children and we do not allow any children to work on our weavings. Girls need to be in school receiving an education not working. We guarantee this!
Education And More is a Fair Trade organization and part of our mission is to educate children and we do not allow any children to work on our weavings. Girls need to be in school receiving an education not working. We guarantee this!
Embroidery joining two pieces of cloth.
Intricate embroidery that is done while weaving.
Young girl learning how to weave.
Below are various parts of the backstrap loom and other tools used for weaving.
Education And More works with T'zutujil and Kakchiquel Mayan artisans and these are
the terms they use.
Meet our artisan groups to learn more about their work!
Purchase Fair Trade backstrap weavings by our artisans in our online store.
Meet our artisan groups to learn more about their work!
Purchase Fair Trade backstrap weavings by our artisans in our online store.
A pattern woven by our artisans that they
usually call 'pinchon.'
Warping table and Yarn winder
Weaver warping yarn for a new weaving.
Backstrap Loom - Telar de Cinteron
Strap for the weaver's back - Cinteron
Yarn or Thread - Hilo
Yarn Winder - Devanador
Weft - Trama
Warping Table - Urdidor
Rods - Palitos
Batten - Espada
Strap for the weaver's back - Cinteron
Yarn or Thread - Hilo
Yarn Winder - Devanador
Weft - Trama
Warping Table - Urdidor
Rods - Palitos
Batten - Espada
Masa (dough for tortillas) is often used as paste to
secure the threads.