Colors, Textures, and Aromas of San Pedro Sacatepequez San Marcos

I have to start by saying that across Guatemala, we are going to find towns sharing the same name, just as this case, where in order to state the geographical difference, everybody calls this municipality “San Pedro Sacatepequez San Marcos”.

Using a combination of silk and cotton threads, the loomers in San Pedro Sacatepequez San Marcos create some of the most vibrant Guatemalan textiles, for instance, the women’s corte (skirt) is made using the jaspe (ikat) technique and yellow silk threads.
I found a good video that explains the weaving process, unfortunately, the producer restricted the access; so, if you want to watch it, please click this link.

I don’t know and I couldn’t find the appropriate information to tell you where the silk comes from and why they use it. All I can tell is that they say that the yellow silk has been brought to San Pedro Sacatepequez San Marcos since the colonial times.

What I can tell you with certainty is that the textile industry in this town and in some of the surrounding villages is a vital component of their economy. Almost every family has at least one loomer.

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In the original post, I included a video showing the shecas making process; however, it didn't work as expected, so I removed it. If you want to watch it, please click this link.
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The "just off the oven" aromas  in San Pedro Sacatepequez San Marcos come from the many bakeries where traditional shecas are baked daily (a variety of sweet bread). This bread is so distinctive of this town, that locals call themselves “shecanos”.

San Pedro Sacatepequez San Marcos, populated by Maya Mam descendants, was part of the ancient Camino Real (royal road), an important commercial route for the ancient civilizations that connected the communities settled between San Juan Ostuncalco and Chiapas.
Even though today is not our last day in San Marcos, it actually is our last day in the highlands, so starting tomorrow, we need to wear lighter clothes since we are heading to the Pacific Ocean region, or as we Guatemalans call it, la costa.