Lema’ Weaving Association is a cooperative that was started to improve economic conditions and the quality of life for women in the community of San Juan La Laguna, Lake Atitlan.
It has played a vital role in enhancing the community and the economic well being of the members.
Lema’ Weaving Association represents 15 Tz’utujil families who have joined together to produce unique and culturally reflective weaved items. Each member learned the craft of traditional weaving from their mothers and grandmothers.
Guatemalan woman weavers today use the same backstrap loom method of weaving that their mothers and grandmothers used for centuries to create beautiful textiles. Their weaving skills have been passed down through the generations from mothers to daughters and in some cases, to their sons.
The textiles that are woven in this small village are considered to be the finest in all of Guatemala.
Guatemalan woman weavers today use the same Backstrap loom method of weaving that their mothers and grandmothers used for centuries to create beautiful textiles. Their weaving skills have been passed down through the generations from mothers to daughters and in some cases, to their sons.
Weaving has been a way for many Guatemalan women to support their families.
Some of the finest back strap loom weaving in Lake Atitlan Guatemala is from San Juan La Laguna Lake Atitlan. The textiles that are woven in this small village are considered to be the finest in all of Guatemala.
While traditional native dress has disappeared in many parts of the world, Lake Atitlan Guatemala remains a place where the vast majority of the Mayan people still proudly wear their traditional dress, called traje. The women wear traditional huipiles (woven blouses) and cortes (long woven skirts ).
Maya woman weavers often say their identity is their traje as it is a very personal, communicative, and significant part of their Mayan cultural heritage. The weave, design, and colors of the huipil represent an identity and culture going back centuries and is used to identify the specific village of the weaver.
You can find out more about this small co-op at
Fair Trade- Antigua, Guatemala
Artisan Emporia exploring Antigua, Guatemala in search of exceptional Fair Trade artisan crafts for import to the US. We met many artisans while traveling and working in Guatemela including Claudia the candle maker, Lento and their organically dyed hip fashions, Lema's mayan weaver collective and MayanKe ceramics shop among others.