Maria Magdalena Ajpuz Cumes—known simply as Magdalena—comes from the vibrant village of Santa Catarina Palopó, nestled along the shores of Lake Atitlán. The town is known not only for its scenic beauty but also for its hand-painted facades, which mirror the traditional patterns woven into the region’s textiles.

Magdalena learned to weave on a backstrap loom from her mother at the age of 12. Today, it remains her sole profession and deepest passion. For her, weaving is more than a livelihood—it’s a way to protect and preserve the techniques that are distinct to her community. She now leads a group of six backstrap weavers in Santa Catarina Palopó, helping ensure the continuity of this ancestral craft.

Weaving a single traditional huipil in her village can take up to a month, with 3–4 hours of meticulous work each day—each piece a testament to patience, skill, and artistry.