Crafts
The best place to buy Guatemalan crafts is in their place of origin, where prices are reasonable and the craftsmen and women get a greater share of the profit. If you haven't the time to travel to remote highland villages, the best places to head for are Chichicastenango on market days (Thurs & Sun) and the shops and street hawkers in Antigua and Panajachel. The greatest craft in Guatemala has to be textile weaving . Each Maya village has its own traditional designs, woven in fantastic patterns and with superbly vivid colours. All the finest weaving is done on the backstrap loom , using complex weft float and wrapping techniques. Chemical dyes have been dominant in Guatemala for over a century now and virtually no natural colourings are used. One of the best places to start looking at textiles is in Antigua's Nim Po't, 5 Av Norte 29 (daily 9am-9pm; tel & fax 832 2681), a large store with an excellent collection of styles and designs. Guatemala City's Museo Ixchel is another essential visit. You should bear in mind that while most Maya are proud that foreigners find their textiles attractive, for them clothing has a spiritual significance - so it's not wise for women travellers to wear men's shirts or men to wear huipiles . Alongside Guatemalan weaving most other crafts suffer by comparison. However, if you hunt around you'll also find good ceramics, baskets, mats, silver and jade. Antigua has the most comprehensive collection of shops. For anything woollen, particularly blankets, head for Momostenango Sunday market.
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