The scent of pine filled the cool mountain air as the first few beats of a marimba bounced out of an old speaker. A group of women from the La Fe weaving group, dressed in colorful woven clothing, stepped out onto the spread of welcoming pine needles and began a swaying traditional dance. As they glided around, I was relieved to discover the babies I had just seen swiftly tossed and tied to their backs before the performance were just baby dolls for representation.
If you have ever wondered if we visit the artisan groups we purchase from, the short answer is yes! Our trip to Guatemala earlier this year gave us a current look into the lasting impact of fair trade. We weren’t there on a buying trip but to listen, learn, and better understand the people and the purpose fair trade serves for them. This first example of cultural practices and warm welcomes was just the beginning.
Meeting The Artisans
Over the course of ten days, we visited with several weaving groups, needle felters, ceramicists, and coffee growers around Lake Atitlán. Anthropologist Barbara Knoke set the scene in Guatemala City by speaking with us about Maya traditions and textiles. We then made our way along the Pan-American highway stopping at the archeological site of Iximché. What was once the capital city of the Kaqchikel kingdom is now overgrown courtyards and pyramids.
Primed for the week with a sense of the country's history and textile traditions, we made it to our base just beyond the city of Panajachel. During our trip, we traveled to many towns around the lake, which meant using just as many forms of transportation including buses, pick-up trucks, tuk-tuks, and even water taxis, lanchas, across the lake.
The Merging of Worlds
We visited the Mayan Hands office and listened as four staff members talked with us about their day-to-day operations. You would likely recognize one of their many products, pine needle baskets, from visiting Latitudes Fair Trade Store in Staunton, VA.
We showed the weavers photos of our store’s display of their baskets and they were overjoyed to see their completed work for sale in a store in another country! Each group showed us kindness, many of them performing dances, inviting us to try their craft, and some even cooking us their traditional meals.
After days listening and watching demonstrations of felting, weaving, looming, and more, we ended our trip in Antigua. The colorful buildings and deep history were breathtaking. At our final dinner, Julio Cardona, director of Mayan Hands’ Guatemalan partner organization ATUKA, shared his perspectives on how fair trade has changed the lives of artisans in Guatemala.
What We Learned
Fair trade isn’t just a set of principles and it is far from detached from the people it serves. It’s a connecting of worlds, preservation of art and culture, and a real way to create positive change.
We listened to women as they wove detailed patterns and explained the freedom fair trade work offers them. We saw firsthand the collaboration of traditional practices and modern design.
Many of the artisans' daughters spoke about the impact scholarships from Mayan Hands have had on them. They told us what they were studying and what career they were hoping to pursue.
Fair trade has given these women and their children a chance at consistent work and a way to afford an education. Artisans in rural areas are able to provide income for their households without having to travel to the nearest city.
Hearts Full of Gratitude
We want to say thank you to Mayan Hands for hosting a beautiful tour of the country and to all the artisans who welcomed us to their workspaces and homes. Guatemala is a beautiful country filled with deep history, vibrant colors, delicious foods, and so many welcoming people.
Visit us at Latitudes to see products from all over Guatemala and many other countries. Fair trade, yes, is about consistent pay and safe working environments, but it’s also simply about people. It’s about creating connections and embracing the beauty of culture, tradition, and environment.
