Maya Traditions Foundation - Maya Traditions - Weaving Cultural Identity with Opportunity

Ikat, or Jaspe as it is known to Mayan weavers, comes from the Indonesian word Menigikat meaning "to tie". This traditional craft has been developed in many parts of the world including: Guatemala, Peru, India, Indonesia, Japan and Africa.

Ikat is a dye-resist process in which skeins of white cotton are tied at pre-determined intervals and then dipped into an indigo dye bath. The contrast of the indigo and the white (or un-dyed) areas is what creates the design in the final product. Guatemala is one the countries that has developed warp Ikat; a process with only the warp (vertical) threads resist-dyed.

After the dying process the threads are then woven into rebosos (shawls) or runners on a backstrap loom. Some of the popular Ikat designs from San Juan are corn, dolls, diamonds and women.

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