Natural Dye Workshop + Backstrap Weaving Class
Hiptipico Tz'utujil artisan partners in San Juan la Laguna use only plants native to the area to dye their cotton prior to weaving. This artisanal knowledge has been preserved over time and has been passed down from generation to generation. Using these ancestral techniques, they extract colors from tree bark, vegetables, coconut shells and leaves, to give organic color to the items they weave. Dyeing the cotton is only one of the steps in the entire process. Our artisan partner, Rosa will show you how to harvest the correct plants, separate the thread prior to weaving and all the ins and outs of designing a woven scarf.
After seeing the natural dye process, you will be assigned a private weaving instructor. You will get a chance to see how the backstrap weaving loom works and then get a chance to try it out for yourself. The traditional back-strap loom uses the weavers body to establish the tension needed to create the woven fabric. As a result, this process is far more physically engaging than it looks. Using their bodies back and forth to tighten and loosen the tension, the weaver's body is practically part of the loom and fabric. Once you experience how hard it is to weave, you will gain a further appreciation for the handmade goods Rosa and the women make. And you get to keep the scarf you made!
DAILY RATE:
Approx $175 - $250 | 8am - 3pm * available in English or Spanish
*prices subject to change depending on number of travelers, language translations requirements and specific guide requests