Mayan Hands / Anne Kelly

Tribal affiliation: Maya K'iche', Kaqchikel, Tz'utujil, and Achi

How to purchase:
Website: www.mayanhands.org
Email: anne@mayanhands.org

Bio:

Mayan Hands is a fair trade non-profit partnering with Mayan women artisans in the rural Guatemalan Highlands. Using both traditional and innovative techniques and designs, our artisan partners create heirloom quality handmade products including handwoven textiles, pine needle baskets and felted wool animals with folk art appeal.

Myth has it that Our Grandmother the Moon, the goddess Ixchel, taught the first woman how to weave at the beginning of time. Since then, Maya mothers have taught their daughters how to use the backstrap loom to produce exquisite cloth. In addition to its important religious and social aspects, weaving has been central to indigenous women's economic contribution to their households.

Our artisan partners are experts at their craft. Backstrap, foot loom and tapestry weavers create table linens and accessories such as scarves and bags. Basket makers weave together pine needles and pajon, a native grass, to craft exquisite baskets that are both functional and decorative. Needle felters transform sheep's wool into whimsical animals. Through sales of their artisan products, the women gain economic stability and increased agency. They improve their homes, provide their families with nutritious meals, access health care, send their children, including the girls, to school, and invest in their local communities. At the same time, they preserve their cherished cultural traditions.

We partner with approximately 200 women, organized in 15 different democratic cooperatives in the western Highlands. Mayan Hands provides technical support, business skill development, and design collaboration. In addition, we invest in the next generation of women leaders by awarding scholarships to the daughters of our artisan partners.

Mayan Hands artisan partners are proud to invite you to view their handmade treasures at www.mayanhands.org.