Living History: Seventh Graders Explore Mayan Clothing
By Kimberly Ellis
Have you ever considered what you communicate through your clothing and apparel? Ana Maria Restrepo, a Language teacher at Belmont Day School located in Belmont, Massachusetts, explored this question in the context of Guatemala with her 7th grade students during Teach Central America Week. Restrepo created a unit focused on Guatemalan fashion, specifically traditional Mayan clothing, to explore what Indigenous attire communicates about Mayan culture and traditions. Through this focus, Restrepo hoped to expose students to a different culture and inspire them to think more deeply about differences in clothing design and production.
First, Restrepo introduced vocabulary related to clothing specific to Guatemala. Her class discussed many components of traditional attire, including the huipil (a traditional hand-woven blouse worn by Mayan women for centuries) and fajas (woven belts). Further, students learned how Mayan weavers constructed most traditional clothing through use of a loom and hand embroidery (bordados).
Students then watched a video to see some of the materials and ancestral techniques still used in many Mayan communities today to make traditional textiles. Natural elements, like carrots and rosemary leaves, are used to naturally color Mayan fabrics. Students were in awe of both the intricate process and resourceful utilization of natural materials.
Students then learned about Isabella Springmuhl Tejada, a young Guatemalan fashion designer with Down syndrome, who uses traditional Guatemalan fabrics for her designs. Inspired, students took what they learned about Guatemalan clothing and fused those designs into their own personal clothing styles.
Examples of students’ personal designs explaining how they fused Guatemalan style clothing with
their own unique style. Click image to view larger.
With a better understanding of Guatemalan clothing and related vocabulary, the class engaged in a larger discussion about la moda or fashion in Guatemala. Students recreated the popular shopping experiences in La Antigua and the Chichicastenango market. Students learned about pacas, stores full of imported second-hand clothing, and the differences between the type of clothing sold in pacas and more traditional Mayan attire. Pacas typically receive clothing bales weekly, and ultimately wind up throwing away much of the clothing.
However, as stores selling imported second-hand clothing, pacas are navigating the overconsumption and waste of countries like the U.S., exacerbated by the rise of fast fashion. Students made connections to the popularity and impact of fast fashion as they engaged in a spirited debate sparked by an article in the magazine Ahora. In this article, students read about how popular brands have used traditional Mayan designs in their clothing. Then, students discussed cultural appropriation and explored questions around cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation.
Importantly, Mayan weavers have been organizing around this issue to protect use of their weavings without permission. Through their rich discussion, students began to think more critically about ownership of these popular designs.
At the culmination of the unit, students recreated popular Guatemalan shopping experiences to showcase their work throughout the unit. Students created small stores, or, las tiendas where they sold their designs, along with jade masks and Muñeca quitapena (worry dolls), to their classmates.
Las tiendas or small stores created by students to sell their designs and products. Click image to view larger.
Throughout this unit, students learned an extensive amount of Spanish grammar and vocabulary, spanning topics ranging from clothing and accessories to stores and establishments. Furthermore, students gained a greater understanding — and appreciation — of different clothing styles, production methods, and their connections to culture and traditions.
Restrepo enjoyed teaching these topics through a focus on Guatemala, especially Mayan communities. In doing so, she hoped to impart on her students that “Mayans still exist and they are making beautiful clothing. This is living Indigenous history.”
Restrepo remains committed to teaching Central America year round. Join her, and hundreds of other educators, committed to teaching Central America by signing a pledge.
Kimberly Ellis is an Education Anew Fellow with Teaching for Change and Communities for Just Schools Fund. Read more of her stories.