The Cooperative: Preserving Culture Through Weaving

 

 

 

ABOUT TRAMA TEXTILES

Trama Textiles is a 100% worker-owned cooperative of female Maya backstrap loom weavers across Guatemala. Our mission is to empower Indigenous women through fair wages, sustainable practices, and the preservation of Maya weaving traditions.

OUR STORY

Founded in 1988, Trama Textiles emerged from one of the most challenging periods in Guatemala’s history—the civil war. With many families losing fathers, brothers, and sons, women turned to their ancestral weaving skills as a means of survival. By coming together, they built a cooperative that not only provided economic stability but also preserved their rich cultural heritage.

Today, Trama Textiles supports 100 women from 17 communities across five regions in the Western Highlands:

• Sololá
  
• Huehuetenango
  
• Sacatepéquez
  
• Quetzaltenango
  
• Quiché
  

In addition, we collaborate with independent artisans and weavers across Guatemala, ensuring a broad impact on the Indigenous artisan community.

OUR MISSION 

Many of our weavers do not speak Spanish, which often makes them vulnerable to unfair wages from middlemen. Trama Textiles works directly with them in their native Maya languages, allowing them to:
✔ Set fair prices for their work
✔ Receive upfront payment for each product
✔ Gain economic independence to support their families
By doing so, we empower women, preserve centuries-old Maya textile traditions, and contribute to the sustainability of Indigenous craftsmanship.

THE ART OF WEAVING

Weaving is a centuries-old Maya art form that continues to play a central role in Maya identity. Each town in Guatemala has a unique traje (traditional dress) that distinguishes its people. These intricate patterns and techniques have been passed down through generations of skilled weavers.
Some garments, depending on their complexity, can take months to complete, demonstrating the deep craftsmanship involved.

HOW WE WORK

Trama Textiles is structured as a worker-owned cooperative, meaning: Each village elects a representative to manage orders and payments. Every three months, weavers gather in Quetzaltenango to review progress and discuss improvements. Every three years, the cooperative hosts an assembly where women vote on leadership and update governance policies. 

LEADERSHIP TEAM 

President: Amparo de León de Rubio
Vice President: Oralia Chopen
Secretary: Lidia Sicay
Treasurer: Maria Luisa Chavez
1st Member: Isabel Guarchaj
2nd Member: Socorro Sicay
3rd Member: Julia Diaz

At Trama Textiles, we believe in more than just selling textiles—we are committed to empowering Indigenous women, preserving cultural heritage, and creating a sustainable future for Maya weaving traditions.