A visit to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

We just returned from the Highlands of Guatemala where we visited with "Maya Traditions", known locally as "Fundacion Tradiciones Mayas" in Panajachel.  Founded in 1998 by the late "Jane Mintz" (1943 - 2009), a social worker and weaver from California, the Foundation provides much needed assistance to the Maya people in the region surrounding Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. 

Currently the foundation works with six community weaving groups that produce the beautiful fair trade backstrap loom purses and scarves that  we offer on World Travel Art and expanded over the years into education, community health and artisan workshops next to maintaining a beautiful medical herb garden.   

We had the opportunity to visit one of the weavers' groups about one hour drive outside of Panajachel in a remote highland village called K'iche. Five women initially joined forces together to find a way to make a living in a remote location like K'iche. Currently the group has 10 women and they are able to earn a consistent income while caring for their children, livestock and crops. All of the women do participate in the Foundations' health and education projects.  

Backstrap weaving is a symbol of the life of a Maya woman. With the loom strapped around her waist and the other end tied to a tree or post, the weaver is an integral part of the loom and virtually connected to her craft. We are grateful for having the opportunity of working with this wonderful foundation and though we had not known Jane in person, her spirit was present everywhere we went through our visit. 

Moroccan Thuya Wood

Thuya Wood Tree

One of our best selling items on www.worldtravelart.com is a handcrafted Moroccan Puzzle Box made from aromatic Thuya Wood. (Tetraclinis Articulata).

The coniferous, small evergreen tree is unique to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains in North West Africa and gives off an aromatic odour for protection from parasites. It is one of only a small number of conifers able to re-grow by sprouting from the stumps, an adaptation to survive wildfire and moderate browsing by animals.

Moroccan Puzzle Box

For centuries, Thuya wood has been used for decorative woodwork, particularly wood from burls at the base of the trunk. Due to Thuya wood's limited supply and careful policy of sustainability, the focus is to produce smaller items like the puzzle boxes and in controlled quantities. The unique blend of burled grain in the wood gives a magnificent appearance and sets Thuya wood apart from other woods.

Artisans in Morocco are traditionally organised in souks that specialise in a specific skill such as wood carving, pottery, leather work amongst others. The traditional skills have been handed down from generation to generation.