The Mayans are well known for their brightly colored native dress lovingly hand-woven on belt-looms.  The blouse or huipil (wa-peel) is carefully woven with intricate patterns incorporated into the fabric or embroidered on top.  Each village has a design and color combination original to that town.  Many of these patterns have remained unchanged since pre-Columbian times and are proudly worn by the Mayans today in their daily dress.  Below is a snapshot of a few towns:

Patzun is easily recognized by the beautiful hand embroidery adorning the neckline in a riotous bouquet of flowers.  Typically the fabric is a red or burgandy color with a touch of softly colorful stripe.  (Cuelle V Pictured here.)

"Joyabaj" is traditionally a swirly w/ arches pattern embroidered onto a black or reddish/orange fabric.  Baguette Bag featured here.

"Zunil" is machine embroidered by hand on handwoven brightly striped textiles.  Typically the embroidery is of large, vibrant flowers, but can also include birds, animals and people.  Trapeze with 2 fringe pictured here.

"Xela" (pronounced 'Shay-La') is the Mayan name for the second largest city in Guatemala on the map as Queztaltenango.   These fabrics are woven with the back strap loom and addorned with hand machine embroidered flowers and birds to cover seams.  The pattern of the weaving is typically ethnic in design and utilizing loads of vibrant colors.  As the city is large, the patterns can vary from canton to canton, but all have a similar flavor.