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About the ArtisansLa Familia Catu-Tzaj
Nestled in the mountains of the state of Chimaltenango is San Juan Comalapa, a town well known for its weavers. Among these weavers, is La Familia Catu-Tzaj, a family run business that was started by siblings, Camilo and Rosario Catu.
During the violence against the indigenous people that ravaged Guatamela in the 1980's, Camilo took on the role as head of the family of four. He was only 16. His father had mysteriously disappeared and his mother died a few months later--thought to have been from grief.
In 1997, Camilo and his younger sister, Rosario organized the weaving business with the help of Mission: Guatemala. By this time, Camilo was married and supported a family of six children.
The business expanded when Rosario married. Her husband, Victor Tzaj Garcia, a tailor, and the weavers in his family joined the business. Camilo's oldest son, Marcos, also began to weave after finishing high school. With the help of Mission: Guatemala, their products were marketed in the U.S.
Rosario and Camilo's wife, Juana, weave using the traditional backstrap loom, while Camilo and Marcos weave on the foot loom brought to Guatemala by the Spaniards. Juana has also been learning how to sew in order to create saleable items.
Through the income earned from the weaving business, Camilo has managed to keep all of his children in school. Marcos saved the money he earned weaving to return to studies at the University of San Carlos.
La Familia Catu-Tzaj plans to keep working together to reach the goal of a secure life for their extended family. |
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ABOUT THE ARTISANS
BUY PRODUCTS FROM
Beautifully handwoven flowered change purse that's roomy enough to carry the essentials when you're on the go.
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Mission: Guatemala · PO Box 906, Pacifica, CA 94044 · Phone: 650.738.9551 · Email: info@mission-guatemala.org ©2004-2006 Kateri Tekakwitha Fund. Site developed by egrate |
