Minneapolis Institute of Art

Man's bag

K'iche' Maya artist

Date

20th century

Medium

Cotton, knitting, weaving

Culture

K'iche' Maya

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Men in Chichicastenango no longer wear traje as everyday clothing, but their ceremonial traje is among the most spectacular in the Guatemala highlands. Loosely patterned after a Spanish matador's costume, the heavy woolen jacket and pants are opulently embroidered in silk or sedalina (synthetic silk) floss. One large red tzute is carefully arranged as a head covering, while additional tzutes may be worn over the shoulders or used to carry ritual objects or candles. The side flaps on the pants exhibit the traditional sunburst design and are said to be embroidered by the owner. The size and intricacy of this motif indicates the man's relative standing within the community. Young men have rather small designs, reflecting their youth and inexperience; as they grow and mature they embroider larger, more elaborate embellishments. K'iche' Maya, Americas

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