Located 10 kilometers southwest of Xela, Almolonga is a busy agricultural area. Many young women still wear and weave traje here.
Lidia Sanchez, 16, weaves a huipil panel on a back strap loom in the currently popular style of Almolongo. Photo by Kathleen Mossman Vitale 2005.
Many schoolgirls in Almolonga-like these high school students--still wear traje, though jeans and teeshirts are also in view. Lidia Sanchez (right), wears a Patzún-style huipil, while the matching huipiles on her sister Lucia and friend Esmeralda are a recently popular style in their community. Photo by Paul G. Vitale 2005.
María Sanchez, mother of 8, wears a cinta or ribbon around her head and a huipil typical of her community. Both are hand woven. María has taught all her daughters the art of weaving their own clothes. Photo by Cheryl Guerrero 2005.