Hiptipico is now available at Free People locations around the USA.

Currently, Free People has over 77 boutiques across the US and many of Hiptipico’s tribal backpack styles are featured! Free People’s goal is to create an environment that inspires their customers with both unique product and a serene atmosphere. Free People identifies with 5 different customer types: “Meadow” the bohemian customer, “Candy” the girly customer, “Ginger” the body-con customer, “Lou” the tomboy customer, and “Sandy” the beach customer.

Hiptipico’s Maya Backpack is the original product that launched with the company in 2012. The Maya Backpack is made with 100% authentic recycled tribal fabric hand-woven by Mayan artisans. Each tribal backpack is unique and one-of-a-kind.

The Utz Clasico Backpack is Hiptipico’s back to school staple. Made with traditionally dyed local cotton, this tribal backpack is perfect to carry your books and computers. With various patterns and colors, each backpack represents the Mayan culture.

Hiptipico’s Zunil Backpack is the newest handmade design. Also made with 100% authentic recycled tribal fabric, this leather backpack sports a funky outer pocket. This tribal backpack design comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

Check out your local Free People store or www.hiptipico.com to shop all these styles!

There are 23 different languages in Guatemala and the majority of them are Mayan. Each Mayan community is represented by their unique weaving. Blouses and skirts are customary, and the attire traditional prevails across Guatemala.

At Hiptipico we embrace local customs and traditions and produce high-quality authentic tribal merchandise. Part of respecting the Mayan culture is preserving it. Sharing stories and photos of the hand-woven clothing is just part of our process. Hiptipico customers can actually carry the Mayan culture with them everyday. Whether as a backpack, wallet, or purse – our items are made with 100% authentic Mayan fabric.

• The Shine Project
• Casey Marciano
• Carolyn Dantonet Hillebrand Pryor
• Michelle Joni
• Aleehhaanndra

The trial now underway against former Guatemalan de facto President Rios Montt will bring closure to many [AFP]

“Lots of people died in ’82, many people; there were massacres, women who had just given birth, they were burned, children, too, were burned. And the mother that had just given birth, how could the baby possibly be to blame; that was the hardest time, the hardest.”

For the next several weeks, a panel of three judges in Guatemala will hear dozens of testimonies like this one, recorded in 1999 by a UN-backed truth commission, of a survivor from an Ixil indigenous village in that country’s remote northern region. After two years of investigation, the commission concluded that during the country’s “Dirty War”, agents of the Guatemalan state committed acts of genocide against the Maya-Ixil people and three other ethnic groups, and that the state had an obligation to investigate and sanction those crimes.

Fourteen years have passed since then, and almost twenty years since peace accords put an end to the armed conflict, but only now, two former generals – José Efraín Ríos Montt and José Mauricio Rodríguez Sánchez – are standing trial in a Guatemalan court on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, in a trial which began this week, on March 19. Ríos Montt became the de facto head of state after a coup in March 1982 and stayed in power until August 1983, while Rodríguez Sánchez headed military intelligence during the same period, one of the bloodiest in Guatemala’s history.

Getting this case to court has been no easy feat in Guatemala, where decades of armed conflict and strict military control of the government left behind an enfeebled and politically compromised judicial system, as well as a deeply entrenched expectation of impunity for even the most heinous of crimes. But the significance of the trial stretches far beyond that small Central American country: it is the first time that a former head of state is being tried for genocide in a credible national court, by the national authorities, in the country where the alleged crimes took place.

What is similarly remarkable is that this is not a classic situation of “victors’ justice”, where the courts do the bidding of a new regime against its old opponents. Guatemala’s current president is another former general who served under Ríos Montt. Just days b­­efore the trial was set to start, he declared that there was no genocide in Guatemala, contributing to a highly charged political environment, where judicial independence still depends in large measure on the bravery and integrity of the prosecutors and judges.

Much credit goes to Attorney General Claudia Paz y Paz Bailey for the current policies that have enabled prosecutors to conduct investigations and bring charges against those suspected of having the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed during the country´s armed conflict. Credit also goes to el Centro para la Acción Legal en Derechos Hum­anos (CALDH), a Guatemalan human rights organisation and la Asociación Justicia y Reconciliación (AJR), a victims’ organisation whose members are survivors from the regions where the actions took place. Against all odds, both organisations worked for years to construct an evidentiary base to contribute to the prosecution, which they have joined as querellantes adhesivos (complementary prosecutor). Finally, the demand for justice and the determination of victim communities have been the driving force and inspiration for all involved.

Public opinion in the lead up to the trial has been highly polarised. The Attorney General has been accused of being a sympathiser of the former insurgency, and prosecutors and judges alike have been under stiff pressure from sectors that supported the military during the war and want to see the trial stopped. In this context, the security of all of the parties involved, including prosecutors, judges, lawyers, witnesses, and victim communities, is of concern.

The trial has just begun and the verdict could be months away. Hundreds of witnesses will give testimony and be questioned and cross-examined, even the exhumed remains of hundreds of mortal victims will “speak” though forensic reports. Dozens of experts will analyse the military campaigns that laid waste to Ixil communities thirty years ago, explain the workings of the chain of command in war time, and examine the role of racism in the conduct of the war by the military. On the genocide charges, prosecutors and defence lawyers will argue on the most central of issues to determine that crime: did the accused act with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Ixil people? Justice hangs in the balance, as does an interpretation of history. Perhaps most importantly, however, the trial will give us a lens into a country’s future: can a society as divided as Guatemala’s face its past and move forward, recognizing the value of the rule of law, where even the most marginalised have the same rights to justice as the powerful?

Original Posted on Al Jazeera

Marcie Mersky is Program Director at the International Center for Transitional Justice. She worked in Guatemala for more than 20 years, including with the Guatemalan Commission for Historical Clarification.

Follow her on Twitter: @theICTJ

Capsule Womens may have been stationed at Basketball City in NYC last weekend, but guests of the trade show were transported around the world and back with one lap around the show, as many brands showcased global influences for their AW13 collections. From embroidery to beading to prints, an abundance of world culture influences showed up in the jewelry, accessories, and clothing on display. No matter how you decide to embrace the trend, the message was clear—take a step away from Americana this season and check out some of what the rest of the world’s got to offer.

Original Post

Hiptipico creates a sustainable avenue for high quality, artisan-level products to reach the global fashion marketplace. The word “tipico” comes from the Spanish language and refers to the typical clothing that indigenous Mayans wear. Their mission is to support the creativity, ingenuity and passion of local artists in Guatemala.

They have a wide range to choose from. They sell backpacks, purses, belts, tribal pouches, hats, hair accessories, jewelries, tunics, bottoms, jackets, moccasins, slippers, and leather flats, among others. Show your support for local artisans by purchasing their products!

Fortunately, my birthday (October 15) came a bit early for me because I have been gifted a pair of multi-colored Santander flats by the owner of Hiptipico, Alyssa McGarry. Santander named after the walking street in Panajachel where all the action takes place. Comfortable and stylish, these handmade shoes are created with durable leather, black sole, and unique “tipico” fabric. Alyssa knew that I’m a fashion design student that’s why she sent me a sample fabric too. She’s so nice and sweet!

Matched my new pair of shoes with my knotted braid headband!

Aren’t these shoes from Hiptipico unique, beautiful and attention-grabbing? Not to mention, they’re so comfortable to walk in! They remind me so much of Kalinga, my section in 7th grade in Miriam College. I learned in my Development of Philippine and Asian Costumes class in UP Diliman that Kalinga tribes are called the “Peacocks of the North” because of their attention to appearance and dressing.

Originally Posted on: http://13baktun.info/

The Maya were a very advanced civilization.

They were outstanding architects -they built the tallest pyramid in the world, La Danta at El Mirador, not surpassed in height until the first skyscraper was erected in 1885.

They were excellent astronomers -their calculations of the solar year have been the most precise of all human history until the invention of very modern instruments of space exploration.

They were stunning mathematicians -invented the combined use of the positional numeral system and the zero, centuries before any other civilization.

And they predicted “it will be the end” this 13 Baktun (December 21, 2012).
Glyph of the 13 Baktun.

What is “13 Baktun”?

13 Baktun is a date, composed of the number (13) and the unit (Baktun).

Just like if we said “Year 2000”, composed of the number (2000) and the unit (year).

Only that one Baktun is a period of time much longer than one year.

Is this December 21st the beginning or the end of the 13 Baktun?

December 21st 2012 is the end of the 13 Baktun.

What is one “Baktun”?

One “Baktun” is a period of 20 “Katun”.

One “Katun” is a period of 20 “Tun”.

One “Tun” is a period of 18 “Winal”.

One “Winal” is a period of 20 “Kin”.

One “Kin” is a day.

In all Mayan Calendars, days are the building blocks of time.

In other words, one Baktun is a period of 144,000 days.

Is one Baktun equal to 5125 or 5200 years?

None of the above! The Maya counted days, not years.

They didn’t even know the concept of “year”, because it belongs to the Gregorian Calendar brought to America by the Catholic Church about 500 years ago.

In fact, if they would have known the concept of “year” they wouldn’t have liked it! They liked exact periods of time and precise mathematical calculations, which are difficult in our Gregorian Calendar because of the confusing leap years.

What are 13 Baktuns?

Just like 1 Millennium has 1000 years and the end of the millennium caused a lot of controversy, one “Era” in the Long Count Mayan Calendar has 13 Baktuns and the end of the 13 Baktun is causing a lot of controversy.

Is the 13 Baktun the end of the Mayan Calendar?

The 13 Baktun is not the end of any of the Mayan Calendars. All of them are cyclic and go on and on –even after the end of the world.

It is only the end of one “Era”.

How many Mayan Calendars are there?

The Maya used many calendars. They had a Venusian Calendar, a Lunar Calendar, a Solar Calendar and many more.

Among all their calendars, three were the most important: the Tzolkin, the Haab, and the Long Count.

The Baktun count belongs to the Long Count Mayan Calendar.

Which Era is this? Have there been other Eras before?

According to the Popol Wuj, this is the Fourth Era.

There have been three Eras before and at the end of each one of them humanity has been destroyed.

Will there be a Fifth Era?

Nowhere in the Mayan Writings can be found a reference to a Fifth Era.

Is the 13 Baktun the end of the world?

You can find the answer to this question in the book.

-

You have another question? Send it to ajmac@13baktun.info

http://mcd.gob.gt/amanecer-maya/que-es-el-oxlajuj-baktun

(automatically translated)

The 13 B’aktun this December 21, fulfilled 5,200 years of the corn era, according to the Popol Vuh. This event in the Mayan calendar is very important for natural regeneration of mother earth and for our civilizations.

The course of time has been studied and recorded by our Mayan ancestors.

The Mayan concept of time is cyclical and infinite.

The calendar is vigesimal: Twenty days is winaq June, one month, one year is 260 days tun, 20 years a k’atun. And one b’aktun 400 years.

13,400 years b’aktunes added 5.200 years, these constitute an era of time.

On December 21 we will be finalizing the fourth, it was from the fourth creation in which corn created man.

Guatemala is the heart of this great Mayan civilization and this 2012 fair on December 21 will witness the start of a new era.

The Mayan civilization knew this event and it is evident in the writings and historical monuments.

The Maya also reflected in current daily life and shared it with the world, as a major contribution to improving the quality of life, a balanced life in harmony, both between humans and with nature and the universe.

On 13 B’aktun therefore offers a profound opportunity for humanity, an opportunity to reach a new dawn.

-

El 13 B’aktun Este 21 de diciembre, se cumplen 5,200 años de la era del maíz, según el Popol Wuj.

Este acontecimiento en el calendario maya es muy importante para la regeneración natural de la madre tierra y también para nuestras civilizaciones.

El curso del tiempo ha sido estudiado y registrado por nuestros antepasados mayas.

La concepción maya del tiempo es cíclica e infinita.

El calendario es vigesimal: Veinte días es jun winaq, un mes, 260 días es un año tun, 20 años un k’atun. Y 400 años un B’aktun.

13 b’aktunes de 400 años suman 5,200 años, estos constituyen una era de tiempo.
El 21 de diciembre estaremos finalizando la cuarta era a partir de la cuarta creación en que se creo al hombre de maíz.

Guatemala es el corazón de esta gran civilización maya y este 2012 justo el 21 de diciembre seremos testigos del inicio de una nueva era.

La civilización maya conoció este acontecimiento y lo dejo manifiesto en sus escritos y monumentos históricos.

Los mayas actuales también lo reflejan en su vida cotidiana y lo comparten con el mundo, como un importante aporte para mejorar la calidad de Vida, una vida equilibrada y en armonía, tanto entre seres humanos como con la naturaleza y el universo.

El 13 B’aktun por lo tanto, ofrece una oportunidad de profundos cambios para la humanidad, una oportunidad para llegar a un nuevo amanecer.

13 B’aktun por lo tanto, ofrece una oportunidad de profundos cambios para la humanidad, una oportunidad para llegar a un nuevo amanecer.

BY REBECCA SOMMER

As you probably know, 21 December is the sacred day of Baktun for the Maya. 

It turns out, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, and members of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) have accepted to come to Guatemala on 21 December, at the invitation of Alvaro Pop, the Guatemalan expert at EMRIP.

The agenda of the UN expert group dealing with questions regarding the human rights of indigenous peoples is not very clear, but there are rumors that they may be going to the ancient Maya city of Tik’al, in which case they would be participating in “celebrations” being organized by the Guatemala Government.

But here is the Problem: Baktun celebrations on the sacred day of the Maya people are going to be an orchestrated, controlled “show” by the Government of Guatemala — to please tourists and handpicked VIP guests.

Tik’al, like all other remaining ancient Maya sites are ceremonial grounds of the Maya!

Access to their sites, and the free expression and the unhindered exercise of their important rituals according to the teachings of their ancestors are essential to the Maya.

Because of governmentally imposed “celebrations”, access to this and other ceremonial grounds will be restricted on such an important day to Maya spiritual leaders and their followers (analogous to restricting St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican to the Pope, priests and Christians on Christmas, to hold non-christian “celebrations”).

When does this ever end, that indigenous peoples are marginalized, their ceremonies are marketed and controlled by others, and their freedom of expression and religion is hindered?

One should add perhaps, as a bit of background, that the current President is a former military that participated in the horrendous civil war in Guatemala, which resulted in the genocide committed against indigenous peoples, at that time, he trained the most brutal battalion of Army intelligence, and during his presidency there have been grave human rights abuses against indigenous peoples, including the death of eight indigenous protesters a few months ago, so to have him organize Baktun celebrations is doubly insulting to the Maya peoples.

“A recent ruling by the national Third Chamber of the Court of Appeal, the indigenous community Kaqchikel Maya community of Chuarrancho regained the title of their ancestral lands, and a formal recognition of their indigenous authorities” said Bartolomé Chocoj, the legal representative of COMKADES, the NGO that presented the case with the indigenous community of Chuarrancho.

But the scared sites of the Maya people, the countries main tourist attraction, continue to be held in a firm grip by governmental authorities.

Well-respected Mayan Spiritual Leaders want the world to know and ask the international press to denounce the implicit racism in their celebrations.

Recently, Hiptipico helped decorate Steph and Sean’s wedding in Connecticut! The couple: Steph, a world-traveler and international development expert and Sean, a science teacher and environmental scholar, were looking to have a DIY, vintage, eco-friendly and worldly wedding decor.

The Happy Couple

With a little help from Hiptipico’s artisans, Steph and Sean’s wedding was accented by traditional Maya flair. Using recycled Huipil blouses as centerpieces and hand-embroidered floral table runners, their wedding was full of Maya culture and Guatemalan elegance.

Huipil Centerpieces:

Cinta de Flores Runners:

La Clásica Floral Runner:

Each item that Hiptipico used to decorate was handmade in Guatemala by Maya artisans and everything was 100% authentic and traditional to the Maya culture. Each individual piece holds significant cultural meaning and is reminiscent of ancient times. Hiptipico was glad to decorate with the Mayan culture and share that with the Bride, Groom and their guests!

To learn more about Mayan Fabric and how it is reused and recycled, check out our recent blog post “What is a Huipil?” and “Los Bomberos”.

Shop Hiptipico Huipil Centerpieces, Floral Table Runners and Cinta de Flores Now!

To place a custom order for your wedding, event, or home decor email us custom@hiptipico.com and we will personally handle your order from our little village in Guatemala.