Guatemala is one of those countries where 60% of the population sees, in a way, the world through colours. For more than two thousand years, Mayan fabrics and clothing have served as an artistic support to convey the symbolic representations of their beliefs to the Mayas themselves and to those initiated in their culture: communication in the form of visual literature. We must take into account that the Mayan civilization, which had filled people with wonder and was recognized as one of the great ancient cultures saw a decline in the 9th century leaving scholars perplexed. While few vestiges remain of this greatness, textile art has crossed the centuries. As though, in the course of these rises and falls, a form of resistance implanted itself. As if, generation after generation, the Mayan women had decided to preserve the bond that linked them to their past. And here they wear there clothing as though they were carrying the world on their shoulders, as though they were paying homage to the gods and nature.

Photos and text ©Bruno Morandi/Lightmediation

Contact – Thierry Tinacci Lightmediation Photo Agency +33 (0)6 61 80 57 21 thierry[AT]lightmediation.com