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| 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 |
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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.
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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.
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Antigua, Guatemala
502-7832-2681
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