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A visitor learns traditional back-strap weaving from an Oxlajuj B’atz’ Maya teacher

Thirteen Threads (Oxlajuj B’atz’/Trece Hilos)

Oxlajuj B’atz’ (OB) – meaning “Thirteen Threads” in the Maya Kaqchikel language – is a non-profit organization in Guatemala supporting indigenous women’s empowerment and education. OB offers travelers the opportunity to tour rural Guatemala and to learn about Mayan women achieving economic independence through innovative and sustainable development projects. OB’s tours offer artisan classes at the Maya Women’s Center in back-strap weaving and natural dyes, basket weaving, and rug-hooking taught by women from the OB cooperatives. They also offer a chance to see destinations such as Antigua, Chichicastenango, Panajachel, Santiago Atitlan, and Sololá in the beautiful country of Guatemala.

One of the purposes for OB to establish these tours as a part of its programs is to connect the women in these cooperatives with potential buyers, and ultimately, markets for their products. Another purpose is to promote sustainable development and preserve indigenous cultures in the region in a way that would not sacrifice the natural or cultural uniqueness of the Maya people. On the other hand, the benefit of these tours for visitors lies in the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Guatemala, to be immersed into Mayan culture, and to spend quality time with the hard-working, hospitable women of the Oxlajuj B’atz’ cooperatives.

Women’s Cooperatives: Empowering Women, Inspiring Change

Oxlajuj B’atz’ Maya Women’s Center organizes tours to visit rural communities in Guatemala and local women’s cooperatives, including the following examples.

Waqxaqi` K`an: Cooperative of Women from the Chuacruz Community
Waqxaqi` K`an, which means “the 8th Weaving Day” in the Mayan language Kaqchikel, is a cooperative of 22 Mayan weavers made up of widows and their daughters who formed in order to earn an income after the violence of the Civil War in the 1980′s. In November 2002, the women realized their goal of building their own cooperative center in Chuacruz. In 2010 they formed their own legal Association and in March 2011 the cooperative won Oxlajuj B’atz’ annual prize in honor of International Women’s Day for the best participation and cooperative development in 2010.

Waqxaqi` K`an Women’s Cooperative, Chuacruz community

Chuwila: Cooperative of Women from the Quiejel Community
In a village in the mountains outside of Chichicastenango, five K’iche’ Maya women joined together to promote their backstrap weaving. This region is famous for its playful and complex use of color. Their tapestry brocade weaving is intricate and results in unique geometric designs. Although the women possess this unique and beautiful skill, it has been difficult for them to find a way to make a living due to the remote location of their community and over-saturation of the textile market. In recent years, Oxlajuj B’atz’ has hosted a series of workshops on rug hooking with textile artist Mary Anne Wise. The women of Chuwila have been developing this new skill, which incorporates those famous designs in the medium of a hooked-rug.

Yolanda Calgua, founder and leader of Chuwila Women’s Cooperative

Lajuj Ix & Las Estrellas: Cooperatives: of Women from the Sololá Community
The Lajuj Ix and Las Estrellas women’s cooperatives are located in the cornfields above the town of Sololá in the Highlands of Guatemala. These women weavers organized 20 years ago after the violence of the Guatemalan civil war in need of an income to provide for their families. They make table runners, cotton knitted or woven bracelets, earrings, key chains, and many other products for export. Some years ago a needle felt artist from New Hampshire came and taught them needle felting, with which they now make a variety of wool animal figurines. Some members of the group have also started their own businesses and diversified their products. For example, they produce and sell natural shampoo and jam, products which they learned to make through Thirteen Threads workshops and now sell in our Fair Trade Store.

Three Generations of Weavers – Lajuj Ix & Las Estrellas cooperatives

Learn More about Oxlajuj B’atz’

Oxlajuj B’atz’ Maya Women’s Center: Empowering Women, Inspiring Change
TIES interview with Beth Davis about Oxlajuj B’atz’s work, challenges faced, and the reason for incorporating ecotourism into its programs.

“The name Oxlajuj B’atz’ means ‘Thirteen Threads’ in the Maya Kaqchikel language. The name was chosen by the Maya women artisan members of the organization because 13 is considered a sacred number in their culture and traditions. For instance, the Maya believe that there are 13 points of power in the body and there are 13 months in a year. Also, since weaving is such an integral part of their life, they think of their connections in life as being joined by threads.”

>> Oxlajuj B’atz’ tour descriptions and information on women’s cooperatives (download PDF, 1.3mb)
>> Oxlajuj B’atz’s member profile (ecotourism.org)

Photos by Oxlajuj B’atz’