Traditional Clothing

Water is becoming more available, and there is plenty of food. The major shortage seems to be clothing. The women wear these incredible blouses called “huipiles” that are made from a loomed strip of fabric sewn together in the middle to form a poncho-like garment which is then sew up the sides to create two half sleeves. The least expensive huipiles cost about $80.00 minimum, and mostly they are $150.00. An expensive huipile may take a person about six months to make and cost over $300.00. The “corte” is a wrap-around skirt much like an African pania, made from a similar loomed cloth but in a more colorful, graphic weave. Embroidery makes the price so variable, but also identifies the pueblo or tribe of the wearer, and so is an important feature. “Peraje” is a small shawl often worn over the shoulder, and is just a fashion statement much of the time because it is pretty.