Nim Po't, Centro de Textiles Tradicionales - The Center for Maya Textiles

Tzute is a general word used to refer to a wide variety of square or rectangular utility cloths that are frequently back strap woven, village specific, and destined for many distinct uses. The word describes, for example, basket covers, baby carriers and various ceremonial-use cloths. Usually, large carrying cloths are called cargadores. They can be used to carry bundles of goods on the head or babies on the back. A tzute diario, or daily use carrying cloth for small purchases and personal possessions is not unlike a purse, an indispensable utilitarian article for the majority of women. Tzutes, when not being used for carrying, can be worn over the shoulder or folded on the head depending on village tradition. Toallas (towels), servilletas (napkins), chivos or tortilleras (tortilla covers) are all examples of tzutes.

Although cloths of varying purposes are called "tzutes", variations in design often indicate the function of a given cloth. The elegant white tzute with large brocaded birds typical of Concepción Chiquirichapa is used as a basket cover or wrapping cloth, while a larger dark blue or jaspe-striped tzute serves as a shawl or sunshade when worn folded on the head. In San Antonio Aguas Calientes, a two panel, richly brocaded tzute is sometimes made by the bride to give to the groom's mother.

Other special use tzutes are used only on ceremonial occasions such as cofradía events, weddings, funerals, events that entail carrying saints (kaperrajes), making sacred offerings (pizbal-cotzij), or being used as altar cloths (manteles). The tzute de vara is used to carry the cofradía staff of office. A tzute for candles is called a servilleta de candela or chuj-cofradia. In Solola there are two types of tzutes worn by men in special ceremonies for the cofradía, one worn over the head with three corners visible and a tzute grande worn over the shoulders.

Small variations in striping pattern or brocade design on a tzute can identify the origin of the owner and socio-religious position in the community. For example, tzutes from the aldea, Ilom, of Chajul are distinguished from those of the municipal seat by the preference of black and burnt orange in the warp stripes. The woman's tzute from aldea Llano de la Virgen of San Juan Sacatepéquez often has a distinctive brocaded design called kumatzin rosa (snake shape-rose), unlike those of San Juan.

As is true with any element of traditional traje, every aspect of design gives subtle clues as to the piece's use, provenance and economic resources of the owner.

Quetzaltenango Tzute $1225	Chichicastenango Tzute $885	Quetzaltenango Tzute $545	Quetzaltenango Tzute $545	Quetzaltenango Tzute $545	Quetzaltenango Tzute $443
San Juan Sacatepéquez Tzute $443	San Juan Sacatepéquez Tzute $443	San Sebastian Ret. Tzute $443	Quetzaltenango Tzute $443	Quetzaltenango Tzute $443	San Antonio A.C. Tzute $375
Mixco Tzute $344	San Juan Sacatepéquez Tzute $341	Quetzaltenango Tzute $307	Quetzaltenango Tzute $307	Sololá Tzute $290	Santo Domingo Xenacoj Tzute $285

Chichicastenango Tzute Sold	Quetzaltenango Tzute Sold	Quetzaltenango Tzute Sold	San Antonio A.C. Tzute Sold	San Antonio A.C. Tzute Sold	Santa María de Jesús Tzute Sold
Santiago Atitlán Tzute Sold	Santiago Atitlán Tzute Sold	Santa María de Jesús Tzute Sold	Santa María de Jesús Tzute Sold	Santo Domingo Xenacoj Tzute Sold	San Pedro Sac. Guate. Tzute Sold
Nebaj Tzute Sold	Nahualá Tzute Sold	Santo Domingo Xenacoj Tzute Sold	Quetzaltenango Tzute Sold	Totonicapán Tzute Sold	Nahualá Tzute Sold