Lema Weaving Association San Juan La Laguna

Lema Weaving Association San Juan La Laguna 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 wellbeing 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.

The Lema’ Weaving Association Contact

Lema Weaving Association San Juan La Laguna

On September 18th, 2020 the Guatemala Borders reopened after closing in March of 2020 due to the COVID Pandemic. At this time COVID 19 is well managed in Guatemala.

Guests coming to Guatemala are required to wear masks, social distance, and follow sanitation guidelines.

This also has affected Lake Atitlan Boat Schedules. Only ten persons are allowed on a boat at one time, more or less regular boat services are operating around Lake Atitlan

Lema’ Weaving Association San Juan La Laguna 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.

Guatemalan Weaving For Sale

Lema’ Weaving Association of San Juan La Laguna weaving

Lema Weaving Association

Lema’ Weaving Association of San Juan La Laguna

Guatemalan Weaving For Sale

Lema’ Weaving Association of San Juan La Laguna featured

Lema’ Weaving Association of San Juan La Laguna

Lema’ Weaving Association of San Juan La Laguna

The Weaving Association is tucked on the southern shoreline of Lake Atitlan is the indigenous village of San Juan La Laguna.  Of the ten thousand residents in San Juan, 95 percent of the population is comprised of Tz’utujil, one of the 21 Maya ethnic groups that live in Guatemala.

The Tz’utujil are noted for their continuing adherence to traditional cultural and religious practices.

The traditional dyeing techniques that the Weaving Association in San Juan La Laguna is using dyes or colorants derived from locally found plants, trees, and insects in the Lake Atitlan area.  The roots, bark, leaves, berries, wood, and insects each produce a different color and hue.  A few of the plants that are used are coconut shell, pericón, pepper, purple basil, hibiscus flowers, and achiote, among many others.

Using the backloom method of weaving the Lema Weaving Association San Juan La Laguna produces purses, bags, shawls, scarves, huipiles, serapes, tablecloths, place mats, napkins, cushions, bedspreads, hammocks, and many more items.

The Tz’utujil Traditions of Dyeing Thread and Weaving

The following are the basic steps involved in the natural dyeing process.  The dye is created by placing the plant and tree product in the water to create the desired color.

When the desired shade of color is achieved the dye is removed from the heat source and the liquid is strained to remove the plant product.  Once strained, the colored liquid is returned to the heat source to boil.  White pure cotton thread is then added and boiled for 10 to 20 minutes or until the thread has obtained the desired color.

The thread is then removed and placed in a color fixative solution, made with banana leaves, where the color is set.  The thread is then hung to dry in the sun.

Lema’ Weaving Association

San Juan la Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala

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