Aguacatan

Department:   Huehuetenango
Language Group:   Awakateko
Elevation: 1,670 meters
Patron Saint &
Major Festival days:
Asuncion de la Virgin Maria - August 15
Market Days: Thursday and Sunday


Aguacatán, named for the local avocado (aguacate) trees, lies on an ancient trade route that follows the Rio Negro basin at the foot of the Cuchumantanes Mountain range. The black mineral salt, mined in nearby Sacapulas, has probably been a trade item since pre-Colombian times. The bridge leading to town, built during the Ubico administration (1931-44), makes Aguacatán accessible from the departmental capital of Huehuetenango. The village economy is based on the cultivation of garlic and other vegetables, both for local consumption and regional markets.


The women's traje has as it's focus a beautiful single-faced weft- brocaded cinta (hair ribbon) woven on a backstrap loom on a traditional base of red cotton with two white warp-edge stripes. It is generally between six and eight feet long, richly brocaded, and finished with a set of three large tassels at each end. The motifs employed include stylized bird, plant and human forms, as well as geometric registers. The brocaded figures in the antique cinta were sparser, revealing the red base. New cintas in the antique style are still woven and are generally worn by older women. The newer style features a dense brocade that virtually covers the base cloth in a cool green and blue palette, although in the last few years a red-biased warm color scheme has been emerging. The cinta is first wound around the ponytail, covering it and taking up most of the cinta's length. The ponytail is then wrapped halo-like around the head with a section displayed across the top of the head, protecting the nahual spot. The arrangement of the cinta is calculated to leave the pompoms hanging beside the ears.

The Aguacatan huipil falls into the "village specific blusa" category, as it uses a white, commercially produced cloth as it's base material. This relatively short blouse is worn hanging loose outside the corte. The body of the huipil often features bands of simple machine-embroidered plant and animal figures in outline form. Commercial findings, such as tapes, laces and colored ribbons, are added in horizontal bands. The hand embroidery of the neck opening can at times be aldea specific in its subtleties.

Aguacatan cortes are among the few skirts that are back-strap woven, although foot-treadle loomed versions are also produced. The indigo blue or black base has narrow colored stripes at regular intervals and may also have some simple brocaded figures.

The faja is a plain narrow striped sash made of black and white warp faced wool or cotton and is hidden by the huipil.

Their large, multi-use shawl tzutes are back-strap woven in a simple red, green, blue, white and black striped design.

Men's traje, like in most other villages, has all but disappeared. The only vestige is the crocheted or woven moral (shoulder bag). Two-toned variations are produced for the tourist\export market.



 All Items   Bolsas   Cintas   Huipiles   Tzutes 

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137

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Aguacatan
Cinta $137



Selection


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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold

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Aguacatan
Cinta Sold



Selection





Nim Pot
5a Avenida Norte #29
Antigua, Guatemala
502-7832-2681
Email Us

All text, graphics and photographs © Ojo Cosmico 3o. S.A.







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Villages

Aguacatan
Almolonga
Alotenango
Cantel
Chajul
Chichicastenango
Chinautla
Chuarrancho
Coban
Colotenango
Comalapa
Cotzal
Cunen
Jacaltenango
Joyabaj
Magdalenas Milpas Altas
Mixco
Momostenango
Nahualá
Nebaj
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Non Village Specific
Olintepeque
Palin
Panajachel
Patzicía
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Quetzaltenango
Rabinal
Sacapulas
Samayac
San Andres Sajcabaja
San Andrés Semetabaj
San Andres Xecul
San Antonio A.C.
San Antonio Palopó
San Bartolome Milpas Altas
San Cristobol Totonicapan
San Francisco el Alto
San Ildefonso Ixtahuacan
San Jose Nacahuil
San Juan Atitán
San Juan la Laguna
San Juan Sacatepéquez
San Lucas Tolimán
San Marcos la Laguna
San Martín Jilotepeque
San Martín Sac.
San Mateo Ixtatán
San Miguel Chicaj
San Pablo la Laguna
San Pedro la Laguna
San Pedro Necta
San Pedro Sac. Guate.
San Pedro Sac. S.M.
San Sebastian Huehue.
San Sebastian Ret.
Santa Apolonia
Santa Catarina Palopó
Santa Clara la Laguna
Santa Cruz Balanya
Santa Cruz del Quiche
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Santa Lucia Utatlan
Santa Maria Cauque
Santa María Chiquimula
Santa María de Jesús
Santiago Atitlán
Santiago Chimaltenango
Santiago Sacatepéquez
Santo Domingo Xenacoj
Santo Tomas La Union
Sololá
Soloma
Sumpango
Tactic
Tamahú
Tecpán
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Nim Pot
5a Avenida Norte #29
Antigua, Guatemala
502-7832-2681
E-MAIL US