Maria actually lives in Nahualá municipality, in the neighbouring 'Departamento de Solola'. However, I met Maria in May 2008 while I was studying Spanish language at the "Escuela Miguel de Cervantes" in Quetzaltenego (also known as Xela).

Once a week Maria would come into town, bringing with her many colourful fabrics, hand-woven by her and friends in her village.

Maria would sit on the floor, in a shaded spot just in from the courtyard, and in her gentle but totally committed way, take down her heavy-looking bundle from her head and spread out her wares for us to view.

As a backpacker, you have to travel light (!) but I was continually captured by the vibrant colours of the 'bufandas' or neck-scarves she would show us, and it seemed every week I would buy a handful, knowing I would be loving to give them as gifts to friends back home, and certainly keeping a few to wear myself!

Hand-woven on a rustic, home-made backstrap loom, each brilliantly coloured cotton scarf takes Maria about 5 hours to create. She gets help from some other of the women of her village too.

The response from friends who received them as a gift from me, was so enthusiastic, that that year I imported a large quantity (a total of 300) of scarves to NZ for sale, which as you can see from the sample photos here, have much appeal. The following 2 years I imported and sold another 300 with more trade set to continue in late 2011.

People who have bought the scarves have been touched with the story of Maria and that she is getting more business: it's kind of like a mini 'Trade Aid': when you buy one of Maria's scarves, you're DIRECTLY contributing to the lives and wellbeing of a small family and community in Guatemala.

Maria even sweetly sent me a short note of gratitude (which you can read here: practice your Spanish!)

And you get a piece of another culture a world-away through the generosity of your purchase.

I've had a few enquiries now from people about wholesaling, so we can keep a flow of trade going for Maria, plus I'm keen to find other 'Marias' to trade with, and that will be covered on the 'Future Projects' page (or email me if you have an interest in helping me achieve this). Imagine this: 300 scarves made and sold represents about 1 whole year of work and income for one weaver!

Update: Nov 19th 2011: New Order of Scarves has literally just arrived in my hands! Sample of scarf designs are shown below for your interest. Please email me for more details