It is such an honor to witness the art of traditional backstrap weaving by indigenous artisans in Guatemala. Many of the products we sell are handmade using this practice and can take months to complete. All are woven by memory using the creativity and passion of the weaver.,
Have you ever admired a woman weaving on a back-strap loom in person? How would you describe your experience in one word?
If you admire the traditional indigenous art of weaving as much as we do then you're going to want to read all the way to the end to see just how much hard work goes into making each and every handwoven piece. What you see is all done by hand, with no machines, no needles, no tools. Just thread, a traditional backstrap loom, and a very talented female weaver. So here they are...
𝟱 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄!
1) The Loom
2) The Discipline
3) The Place
Typically a weaver will attach her loom to a tree with a rope allowing her to extend the loom to her sitting area and tightly create the tension needed to begin weaving.
4) The Threads
Many weavers purchase their thread at a wholesale market. Sometimes this thread is imported and she can essentially purchase any color or material she needs.
5) The Dye
Pictured is a naturally dyed scarf in process. In this case, the weaver dyed her own cotton threads using organic plant materials. A practice that is not as common and one we hope to help preserve.
So, which of these 5 facts impressed you the most!? Let us know on our Instagram Post here: www.instagram.com/p/CUK2ldjFVl1/
