Threads of Time: Tradition and Change in Indigenous American Textiles
Faja (Belt) for a Male Saint Effigy
Title
Faja (Belt) for a Male Saint Effigy
Description
A santo’s traje, or traditional dress, is complete with a wide faja (belt) such as this striped one. Although most Maya men adopted Hispanic dress, fajas remained one of the few indigenous garments worn by men into the present. This red belt includes three jaspé (tie-dyed) bands, which are very labor-intensive to produce, so such a diminutive saint’s belt was nevertheless expensive and highly valued.
Geographic Area
Central America, Guatemala, Sololá
Culture
Kakchikel Maya
Date
20th century
Materials
Cotton
Credit Line
Bright Collection of Guatemalan Textiles
Accession Number
2009.42.432
Photo Credit
Photo by Michael McKelvey, 2017