Traditional Clothing in Mexico and Guatemala: A Look Into The Rich and Fascinating History of Huipil

Traditional clothing across Latin America varies depending on cultural identity and historical background. In Argentina, the cultural identity is closely related to the Tango and Chachero and the Gaucho figure, which became one of the country's most iconic costumes of Argentine folklore, according to Vamos Spanish.

The Gaucho clothing has also become a national symbol of pride in both male and female versions. The Gaucho costume is a combination of black trousers with a white shirt and an open short sleeve jacket on top of it.

For females, the Guacho costume is usually called "china," "paisana," "gaucha," and "prenda." Paisana is considered to be the most popular choice in Argentina.

In Bolivia, the traditional clothing is the multi-layered skirt or pollero. It is worn with five petticoats, a shawl, and a bowler hat or borsalino. The traditional clothing in Bolivia is usually worn by indigenous Aymara women known as Cholas or Cholitas.

Traditional Clothing in Guatemala and Mexico

Traditional clothing in Mexico and Central American countries is called a huipil, which indigenous women usually wear. It is made from two or three rectangular pieces sewn together with ribbons or fabric strips, with an opening for the head and arms.

Huipiles for fiestas are the most elaborate and are usually worn for weddings, burials, and for women with greater economic resources. The traditional clothing usually shows the class and ethnicity of those wearing it, according to the University of Kentucky.

Women with limited economic means usually wore a plain huipil wrap-around skirt with a sash and ribboned braids. Those with intricate details such as ruffles, lace collars, gold fringes, and silk scarves often have a higher social status.

Aside from huipil, Guatemala has other items of traditional clothing such as the faja, a belt or sash; the corte, a skirt; and the cinta, a headband. Trajes are also worn in Guatemala as a way to connect to their roots and feel more connected to their ancestors. The clothing is considered a sacred piece of item.

History of Huipil

The huipil is a term derived from the Nahuatl word huipili, which means "my covering." Before Central America was colonized, the clothing was used almost exclusively in ceremonial practice, whether religious or social.

It slowly became more common in day-to-day life and now varies based on geographical location and social status. Mayan culture believed that children's birth symbolically represents the birth of a woven huipil.

The practice of weaving huipil is passed through generations matrilineally and is often considered to be a "rite of passage." The traditional clothing reportedly has traditionally told a story based on Mayan symbolism and color.

The symbol of the sun on a huipil is usually made on the neck opening and represents the centrality of agricultural life and Maya mythology. Other symbols include the moon, the lion of riches, serpents, human figures, and butterflies, among many others.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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