• Tomas's wife, Josefa Coche Chichom (who is also a weaver for Cojolya) presents the completed jaspe threads to Cojolya’s master weaver, Maria Sosof Ixbalan. They are warped and ready to be taken to a weaver's home for assembling on the loom. These women are both wearing huipiles (modern and traditional) and cortes that identify them as being from the village of Santiago Atitlan.
  • Tomas Sosof Sisay begins the jaspe process by stretching bundles of threads on a special frame. The sections of thread, which are to remain without dye, are tightly bound with string.
  • he sections of threads covered in string will create patterns by resisting the dye.
  • Tomas dyes and rinses the threads in his workroom, which also serves as the family's kitchen.
  • After dying, the threads are untied and hung out to dry. One can already see the patterns emerging.
  • After dying, the threads are untied and hung out to dry. One can already see the patterns emerging.
  • The dry threads are then placed on a warping board to align them to match exactly the motifs of the master design.
  • Concepción Quieju Quevac begins the weaving process. The threads are dipped into sizing, which is a mixture of corn masa (dough) and water in order to coat and thus strengthen the threads for weaving. . The warp must be placed on the loom while damp. If the threads dry out it is difficult to handle them for correct arrangement on the loom and the jaspe patterns become poorly defined.
  • Here, the jaspe weaving is in process on back strap loom. One can see that the bundles of jaspe patterns are still tied together with threads well above the shed rod, to keep them from shifting during weaving.
  • Here, the jaspe weaving is in process on back strap loom. One can see that the bundles of jaspe patterns are still tied together with threads well above the shed rod, to keep them from shifting during weaving.
  • Here, the jaspe weaving is in process on back strap loom. One can see that the bundles of jaspe patterns are still tied together with threads well above the shed rod, to keep them from shifting during weaving.
  • Opening the shed with the batten to permit the insertion of the weft, the shawl is more than half completed. Concepcion has been a member of Cojolya Association for fourteen years.
  • The final product is a striking jaspe stole designed by Candis E. Krumel, for Cojolya Association of Maya Women Weavers, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. (Photo by Juan Sisay)

The Evolving Ikat Tradition in Guatemala

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