Traditional Huipíl (Blouse) from Santiago Atitlán

This is the earlier example of a pair of Maya women’s blouses from the town of Santiago Atitlán (see the later 20th century example). Like style the modern world over, among the Maya in Guatemala changes in style occur from one year or one decade to the next. Santiago Atitlán is no exception. This huipíl features birds in a strictly angular style. By contrast, the later huipíl has moved to a very naturalistic rendering of birds and flowers, a trend in the last few decades of Maya ceremonial clothing.