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Tipicos Lety

Handmade Guatemalan crafts, called "tipicos", is world renown for its exotic style and bright colors. The Mam speaking Mayans of Todos Santos produce some of the most beautiful and distinct clothing in Guatemala.

The bright red "huipiles" or blouses instantly identify a woman as being from Todos Santos, however unlike most Mayan communities, the men continue to wear the red pants and tipical shirt, the collar of which is spectacular. Juan Pablo and his wife Josefa deal in tipicos from all over Guatemala but naturaly focus on accessories from their village.

I bought and sold tipicos for years, but since moving to Guatemala permanently I have quit the business except for what I buy from Juan and Josefa. Now I work in web design and when Juan asked me to do a website for them I jumped at the chance.

What the villagers of Todos Santos Cuchumatan weave and crochet is beautiful and well made. Selling their goods outside their village gives monetary value to what they have always done. They don't have to move away from home to survive. It keeps their language alive and their unique way of life economical viable in an increasingly homogeneous world.

Photos of Todos Santos 

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