LUCHOMETIK

LOCATED IN MEXICO

In 2013, six women created Luchometik upon the realization that they wanted to learn and create opportunities to improve their livelihoods. Luchmoetik is a Tzotzil word that means “women brocading on a waist loom” and it originates from a Mayan language spoken by the indigenous Tzotzil Maya people in Chiapas, Mexico. The resilient women have learned about product quality as well as color and design and sales and finance.

Chiapas is known for its beautiful weaving, created using traditional Maya methods that have been passed down for centuries. Maya weavers believe that their designs have a deeply spiritual meaning. Traditional Maya culture believes that all beings on the Earth are intertwined, and these beliefs are often encoded within the patterns in the weave. The textiles are sewn on a backstrap loom using a method called brocade. As the artisans weave, intricate patterns emerge in the colorful fabric. The weavers memorize countless patterns, and each design is a unique work of art. The patterns can have great significance in Mexican culture, representing the weaver’s heritage, marital status, religion, personality, and the village she is from.

Backstrap weaving is part of the culture of the Chiapas highlands. Young girls begin to learn weaving techniques from their elders at a young age, and many women are able to support themselves and their families with their skills. A woman’s family proudly wears her weaving to show solidarity with the village and respect for the technique that was passed from their ancestors. These intricate products tell a rich cultural story and help to preserve Chiapas’ unique history, traditions, and language.


Are you interested in learning more about this group and their product offering? Please email us at hello@thelittlemarket.com for details and contact information.