Threads of Belonging!

Before this trip, I didn’t think much about how clothing could carry meaning beyond style or tradition. But learning about the huipil completely changed that perspective for me.

Traditionally, huipiles are made using techniques that have been passed down for generations. Many are still woven on a backstrap loom, a method that has been used across Central and South America for centuries. The loom itself is simple and portable, often made by the weaver, with a strap that wraps around the waist to hold tension while weaving.

The process is slow and intentional. Creating a single huipil can take two to three months. Traditionally, they were made using cotton and agave fibers, with natural dyes sourced from cochineal, tree bark, indigo, coffee, and other plants. Even today, some weavers continue to prioritize these methods, using organic materials and natural dyes to preserve cultural practices.

But what stood out to me the most wasn’t just how they’re made. It was what they represent.

I didn’t grow up wearing a huipil, and for a long time, I didn’t fully understand its significance. Now I do. It’s more than just clothing. It’s an expression of identity, culture, and care. Every thread carries meaning, history, and pride.

There’s a part of me that feels a quiet sadness knowing it wasn’t something I grew up with. But at the same time, being in Guatemala shifted that feeling. Watching schoolchildren run through the streets wearing their huipiles, seeing women weaving together in community, and noticing how naturally and confidently they are worn. It made me feel something different.

It made me proud.

It reminded me that heritage isn’t just about what you grew up with. It’s about what you choose to learn, remember, and reconnect with. You can never know too much about where you come from. There is always more to understand, more to carry, and more to honour.

In that way, the huipil didn’t just teach me about Guatemala.

It reminded me that I belong to a story I am still learning how to read.