The Lovepost Updated on Aug 17, 2024 2 min read

Empowering women, preserving tradition: Trama Textiles' legacy of resilience and artistry

"When you buy a product from Trama the money goes directly to the women and their families, many families. There are cheaper products [out there], but when you wash them, the products will bleed, and you are not helping the families."

Identity
Trama Textiles is a worker-owned women's backstrap loom weaving cooperative, based in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. It comprises over 400 indigenous Maya women from 17 weaving groups across five regions in the Western Highlands: Quetzaltenango, Sololá, Huehuetenango, Sacatepequez and Quiche. The cooperative was founded in 1988 after the Guatemalan Civil War, providing a means of economic empowerment and cultural preservation for its members.

Trama Textiles focuses on producing high-quality, ethically made textiles using traditional backstrap loom weaving techniques. The cooperative creates a range of products, including huipils (traditional blouses), scarves, bags and home decor items. They also run a weaving school and offer workshops on natural dyeing and other traditional practices.

The Problem
The cooperative addresses the economic vulnerability and social marginalisation of Indigenous Maya women, particularly those widowed or displaced by the Guatemalan Civil War.

The Solution
By providing a reliable income through weaving, Trama Textiles helps its members achieve financial independence, preserve their cultural heritage, and support their families. The cooperative also ensures fair wages and creates a supportive community for the women involved.

Overcoming Obstacles
Trama Textiles has faced numerous challenges, including the trauma and displacement caused by the civil war, economic instability and competition from cheaper, lower-quality textile products. The women have also struggled with limited access to professional help and governmental support. Despite these obstacles, they have maintained their dedication to weaving and their cooperative.

Words of Wisdom
“The tragedies of war united us as women. We all felt the same pain, which gave birth to Trama,” says Oralia Chopen, Vice President of Trama Textiles. She emphasises the importance of resilience and community support: “They [the women at Trama] work on their own, they fight for themselves. It has been difficult for them to have the energy or the strength to go back into weaving, to go back to work. Yet they have maintained their fight."

Vision for the Future
Trama Textiles aims to expand its reach and impact by increasing international sales, improving its online presence and continuing to offer educational workshops. The cooperative plans to establish an education fund for the children of the weavers, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future. They also seek to hold workshops on nutrition, hygiene and managing finances in the highland villages.

Get Involved
Support Trama Textiles by purchasing their ethically made products, which directly benefit the women and their families. Consider donating to their education fund or volunteering with the cooperative if you have relevant skills. Raise awareness about the challenges faced by indigenous Maya women by sharing their story on social media. Simple acts like these help sustain the cooperative and empower the women of Trama Textiles to continue their fight for economic and cultural resilience.