Lake Atitlan Textiles Workshop

Our Lake Atitlan Textiles Workshop explores the weaving traditions found in San Juan La Laguna located along the shoreline of one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

Lake Atitlan Textiles Workshop explores the weaving traditions found in San Juan La Laguna located along the shoreline of Lake Atitlan Guatemala.

As a participant you will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of one of the oldest forms of artistic expression by working and learning directly from the Tz’utujil women of San Juan.

You will learn how they grow their own cotton, harvest it by hand, spin it using ancient techniques, and then use natural dyes and colorants derived from locally found plants, tree, bark, berries, leaves, roots, wood, and insects in the Lake Atitlan area.

A few of the plants that are used are coconut shell, pericón, pepper, purple basil, hibiscus flowers, and achiote, among many others.

The San Juan La Laguna Weaving Workshop is a rare opportunity to learn from a community of Indigenous Tz’utujil women who are living on and managing their traditional lands. The strength, love and dignity of the Tz’utujil people will deeply touch you as they guide you in learning this ancient craft.

The teaching is conducted as it has been for generations in the traditional Tz’utujil community of San Juan. So roll up your sleeves and get ready for this one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience, under the guidance of master weavers as you learn how to make and spin the thread, dye it, and then weave the thread using traditional, handmade looms.

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