Meet Our Weavers: Maya Women Artisans at the Heart of Trama Textiles

Trama is more than a cooperative—it's a community led by Maya women, for Maya women. Since our founding in 1988, we have grown into a cooperative of over 150 women preserving ancestral techniques and creating opportunities for fair, dignified work.

We invite you to meet two incredible women, Lidia and Julia, each from a different region and each carrying forward her community’s weaving heritage in a unique way.

 

Lidia from Chimaltenango — Master Backstrap Weaver of Traditional Table Runners

 

Lidia is a master backstrap weaver from a small highland village in Chimaltenango, where weaving is an everyday act of heritage and resistance. She specializes in creating intricate table runners, each piece a reflection of the colorful patterns and traditions of her community.

For Lidia, weaving is a way to tell stories without words—passing down knowledge from grandmother to granddaughter. Every table runner she creates carries symbolic motifs inspired by mountains, cornfields, and the cycles of nature.

“I started weaving when I was a girl. My mother told me, 'If you know how to weave, you’ll never be without work.’ It’s true. Thanks to weaving, I’ve been able to support my family.”

— Lidia, Chimaltenango

Julia from Huehuetenango — Weaver of Highland Maya Cushion Weaving Traditions

 

From the western highlands of Huehuetenango, another Julia brings the wisdom and colors of her community into each cushion she creates. Her family and neighbors specialize in crafting vibrant cushion covers, blending tradition with functionality for modern homes around the world.

Huehuetenango is known for its complex, multi-step weaving traditions and geometric designs that speak to Maya cosmology. Lidia’s work is both art and livelihood—she is proud to keep these practices alive and empower other women in her cooperative to do the same.

“When someone buys our cushions, they’re not just supporting me. They’re helping preserve our entire community’s way of life.”

— Julia, Huehuetenango

At Trama Textiles, every piece you purchase helps sustain these stories—stories of resilience, pride, and the power of community. We are honored to support artisans like Lidia and Julia, and we’re grateful to share their voices with you. Explore our online store to find products from Lidia and Julia, and many other women weavers.