Oxlajuj B'atz' ---- Thirteen Threads ---- Trece Hilos

Nahuala

The Nahuala group includes 28 K’iche’ women from the communities of Quiacasiguan and Xepatuj who weave on backstrap looms.  They produce scarves, separates, bookmarks, and clerical stoles.  Twenty-two of the women weave the extraordinary brocade pattern that identifies Nahualá weaving and that always commands admiration and respect. The other six are older women who, due to various age-related problems, can no longer weave the intricate brocade, but can still weave structurally simpler fabric with many colors, and thus can continue to earn some income and feel productive.  Few of the women speak Spanish, much less read or write, and as a result feel unable to take on leadership roles in the group, and so willing participation and democratic functioning has been a challenge. Whereas other groups may need more workshops on artisan techniques, this group benefits more from Thirteen Threads’ classes in Democracy and Group Organization.