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Ixoq Ajkeem Association

Ixoq Ajkeem means "Woman Weaver" in the Maya Tz'utujil language. Noemi Mendoza, president of the Association shares their story:

"We are a group of 20 Tz'utujil women got together in 1993. We specialize in textiles by preserving traditional techniques, using natural dyes, and weaving on backstrap looms. We also recycle threads as an effort to preserve the environment. Being women of Maya origin, the preservation of our environment is of fundamental importance to us. It is something we are born with and it flows through our veins.

"We began by taking out a loan and organizing ourselves to better promote our textile products. Initially we sold to middlemen but we had no idea how to set the proper prices. However, with the passing of time we started getting in touch with other associations who offered us better deals. This allowed us to start living our dream.

"Thanks to Fundación Solar de Guatemala, we were able to become a legalized association in 2006. They taught us everything we needed to know about finances and other areas that we needed to improve. Now we have a little shop and we have also opened a small restaurant where we serve traditional food prepared by the same women weavers who take turns to cook.

"15 percent of the profits are allocated to the Association's expenses, rent, and amenities. The rest is for the women in the Association. We all come from the same village and together we've seen how our finances have improved. We invest our savings in our homes and our children's education.

"The recognition we are receiving for improving the quality of life of the women in the Association gives us hope. We wish we could invite more women to join us, because the more women who get to share in the benefits, the better!

"There are only two men working with us sewing, and one of them is married to one of our women.

"My mother taught me how to weave when I was eight years old. Where I come from, women have always made a living by weaving. I remember the first thing I wove was a narrow strap in one color. My mother was by my side all the time correcting my mistakes. By the time I finished we were both so happy!

"I will be forever grateful to my mother for teaching me, but whenever I did something wrong, she used to hit me on my fingertips with a long stick from the backstrap loom. When I tell this to my daughters they think it's hilarious! Now I'm teaching them the art of weaving, I think it's important that this knowledge is never forgotten. I am thankful to my mother for teaching me how to earn a living honorably.

"I've been weaving since 1953, and I always use natural dyes. I am very proud of the Association we formed, because we can share experiences and knowledge, and we motivate each other. Together we stand strong!

"Eventually we would like to get a loan to buy a piece of land for the Association, where we can build our own workshop and stop paying rent, which is something that truly worries us. At the moment we weave at home and we get together once a week to bring the items we have woven.

"We also enjoy days out in the fields to collect the different plants, seeds, tree bark and fruits that we use to prepare our dyes. We enjoy spending time together in the great outdoors, and we start experimenting with designs and color combinations. We very much enjoy working together as a team.

"Our back strap looms are made with 10 pieces of wood that is cut during a full moon night so they are more resistant, since weaving requires great strength. We always say that if you chop down a tree, you should plant two or three more so our children and our children's children will also have trees. The ones we use were planted by our forefathers, so the chain must continue.

"I have enjoyed meeting with Novica and, by asking me for my story, you have made me reflect upon my life, my past and my present… thank you for making me remember! I hope Novica customers welcome our products."