Mayan Hands is a fair-trade nonprofit dedicated to providing economic and educational opportunities to Maya women and girls, so that they can build sustainable futures for themselves, their families and communities, as they continue to live within the culture they cherish.
Mayan Hands collaborates with 15 artisan groups in the rural Guatemalan highlands, representing about 200 skilled craftswomen. Artisans speak one (or more!) of four Mayan languages: K’iche’, Kaqchikel, Tz’utujil, or Achí. Some also speak Spanish.
In our early days, we worked with backstrap loom weavers. Today, products showcase artisan partners' wide range of skills: numerous styles of weaving, pine needle basketry, crochet, macrame, needle felting, and embroidery.
Mayan Hands is committed to long-term partnership with artisan groups. Some artisans have worked with us for more than 30 years!
