Weaving

Señora Alicia displays a number of traditional items in this video. A number of these items, including the bag she stores them in, are woven in the traditional styles of Latin America. Weaving is a common practice for many women in all parts of Latin America, where many symbolic patterns and animal motifs are used. The large bag, or bolsa , shown in this video is from Bolivia, which is in South America, while the smaller bags are from Central America.

In the Andes of South America, weaving is a major art. Women spin the wool of alpacas and llamas, and then weave this wool into beautiful patterns. In the time before the Spanish conquest, Incan people prized woven cloth and even used it as money to pay for goods and services.

The Mayan women of Guatemala used simple back strap looms to weave elaborate patterns for their traditional blouses, called, huipiles . They believed the goddess Ixchel invented this art form (she is also the goddess of the Moon and childbirth, as well as weaving), and so it has a very important place in their culture. Each local village in Guatemala has its own traditional pattern, which helps identify where women are from and gives them a sense of identity. Patterns are most often taken from nature and include flowers, birds, and other animals, as well as abstract symbols. (See: The Magic Box )

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