Our Story

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

Trama Textiles was founded in 1988, during one of the most challenging periods in Guatemala's history—the internal armed conflict. This conflict, which lasted for over 36 years, resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and widespread devastation, especially in Indigenous communities, which were the most affected. The violence and state repression deprived many of these communities of their land and dignity, pushing women to find ways to survive while keeping their cultural traditions alive.

Maya communities, which make up the majority of the Indigenous population in Guatemala, were deeply impacted. Towns in regions like Quiché, Sololá, Huehuetenango, Sacatepéquez, and Quetzaltenango faced forced displacement, disappearances, and the loss of resources and belongings. In the midst of this adversity, women turned to their ancestral weaving knowledge as a means of resistance and survival.

It was in this context that Trama Textiles emerged, as a response to the women’s need to unite, preserve their traditions, and gain economic independence. Through cooperation and solidarity, these women turned their weaving skills into a way to heal and rebuild their lives. At the same time, they managed to keep alive the traditions that had been passed down from generation to generation.

Today, Trama Textiles remains a testament to the power of community and resilience. The project continues to support more than 150 women from 17 communities across five regions in the Western Highlands:

  • Sololá
  • Huehuetenango
  • Sacatepéquez
  • Quetzaltenango
  • Quiché

When you purchase our products, you are not just acquiring beautiful textiles; you are actively participating in a movement that honors the history, culture, and resistance of Indigenous women. Every piece we sell carries a story of struggle, empowerment, and hope, woven by hands that, through time, have preserved and defended Maya culture.