Guatemala is the country of the Maya Indians. Maya historical artefacts, temples and ruined cities continue to fascinate visitors from across the world. The indigenous Indian peoples have preserved much of their cultural heritage down to the present day yet fateful events of recent decades have noticeably taken their toll of the Maya way of life. What has survived, however, is the brilliantly hued apparel worn by the Maya women encountered today mainly on the high plateau country.
The Zurich Völkerkundemuseum (ethnological museum) owns over three hundred Maya textiles dating from a period encompassing more than one hundred and twenty years. These fabrics reflect variations in dress from village to village as well as changes that have taken place over the time. The Völkerkundemuseum is to present a selection of one hundred and eighty objects to the public (special exhibition from 7 April 2006 until 28 January 2007). The publication represents a comprehensive survey of traditional Maya dress and the techniques used in creating their textiles. However, the realities of Indígena life in Guatemala over the past half century - moulded as it has been by poverty, war and daily fight for survival - has not been left out. It forms the darker backdrop against which these costumes woven in cheerful, glowing colours stand out so vibrantly.
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