Threads of Time: Tradition and Change in Indigenous American Textiles
Typical Man's Garments from Chichicastenango
Title
Typical Man's Garments from Chichicastenango
Description
Unlike Maya women’s dress, men’s dress, by contrast, reflects their greater participation in the political, economic, and religious colonial world established by the European invaders. Tailoring lengths of cloth, an idea that was antithetical to pre-Hispanic peoples who felt thread had a life force that would be severed by cutting, was applied early to men’s clothing. The flaring short pants and fitted jacket with collar, pockets, and cuffs are clearly European in origin. Maya men also wore a shoulder blanket, much like the women’s shawl but coarser and larger, carried a large bag, and folded their tzutes on their heads, retaining certain time-honored garment types.
Geographic Area
Central America, Guatemala, Chichicastenango
Culture
K’iche’ Maya
Date
20th century
Materials
Cotton, sheep's wool, acrylic fiber
Credit Line
Bright Collection of Guatemalan Textiles
Accession Number
Tzut (on head), 2009.42.48; Jacket, 2009.42.93; Bag, 2009.42.92; Blanket (over shoulder), Bag (2009.42.92); 2009.42.121; Faja (Belt), 2009.42.373; Pants, 2009.42.96
Photo Credit
Photos by Michael McKelvey, 2017