The Mayans of Guatemala and the surrounding regions had one of the most advanced civilizations of the ancient world.

The Maya civilization was one of the grandest in the history of the world and the reason for its collapse is still shrouded in mystery. Their cities flourished across Central America, complete with remarkable pyramids, temples, observatories and libraries, and their scholars produced works of literature, philosophy, art and architecture. Particularly skilled in mathematics and astronomy, Mayan scientists developed a calendar more precise than that used by NASA even today.    Many of the remnants in Tikal reveal the culture of this ancient civilization and testaments of their achievements are found throughout the area.

Today descendents of the old Maya, or the Indigenous as the are locally referred to, account for more than 50% of the Guatemalan population. Their present culture is vibrant and thriving, best shown by the many traditionally dressed woman and children seen along the streets in the entire country. Weaving is one of the outstanding Maya craft, an ancient art that has survived uninterrupted for centuries and is now becoming famous all over the world. The Maya also make baskets, pottery and wood carved of animals, saints and brightly-painted toys and chests.

A defining quality of each Mayan tribe is their traditional clothing. The traditional clothing of Mayan women is a beautifully embroidered huipil worn as a top, a large piece of woven cloth wrapped as a skirt called a corte, and a thin woven band wound around the waist like a belt to hold the corte in place called a faja. In some tribes, the women also weave colorful bands that are tied around the head. The traditional clothing of most Mayan men consists of short pants reaching down to the calf, which are sometimes embroidered, and a woven shirt. Although the basic design of the clothing may be similar, each Mayan tribe has it own special colors and embroidered patterns that make them look very different.

   Santiago Atitlan Huipil

   Corte cloth

   Faja

   Hair decoration

  Men's clothing