In Belize, more than a third of the population suffered monetary, educational and infrastructural poverty in 2021. Additionally, more than half of the population faced challenges affording sufficient nutrition and basic non-food items in 2018. Furthermore, the limited participation of females in the labor force impedes poverty alleviation efforts and exacerbates the strain on the labor market.

A notable structural discrepancy has existed in employment and poverty outcomes, with women and indigenous Mayans displaying a higher likelihood of being both self-employed and living in poverty. However, a centuries-old Mayan art form once believed to be fading away is experiencing a magnificent revival and is helping to lift Mayan women and men out of poverty in Belize.

The Fashionable Revival of Mayan Embroidery

This revival of traditional Mayan embroidery is evident on websites of online giants such as Etsy and in high-priced boutiques in North America and Europe. Additionally, key public figures in Belize and influencers proudly promote clothing featuring this hand-crafted artwork. Unfortunately, the indigenous women who spend weeks and sometimes months crafting these complex designs do not always see the financial benefits of the work they put into their artistic expression.

However, this narrative is shifting thanks to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) and SATIIM’s highly praised project, “Fahina: Re-Branding the Creative Industry of Maya Women in Belize.” Initially championed by Belizean intellectual and anthropologist Froyla Tzalam, this initiative received a grant of $130,000 from the Bank’s Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF).

MayaBags and Monetary Autonomy

MayaBags was founded to share the art of Mayan embroidery with the world, help alleviate poverty in Belize and help Mayan women become financially autonomous. The artisanal handbags encapsulate a rich narrative of Belizean Maya culture, celebrating its innate creativity and the skilled Mayan artists behind the intricately woven textiles adorning each bag. As a thriving social enterprise, MayaBags collaborates closely with Maya women from the Toledo District, harnessing traditional hand skills that have endured for millennia. These time-honored techniques infuse each bag with a profound sense of heritage, embodying more than 2000 years of Maya craftsmanship.

Since its inception by Judy Bergsma in 1999, MayaBags has flourished, evolving from a small-scale endeavor with just six artisans to a formidable enterprise boasting more than 90 skilled individuals. The demand continues to surge, with many Maya women and men eager to join and contribute to the initiative. Every individual on the MayaBags team has transitioned into a shareholder, marking a significant shift in the artisans’ lives. The impact is profound: nearly all MayaBags workers now have bank accounts, a stark departure from previous hesitance due to feelings of exclusion from the system.

Impacts on Education

Moreover, a substantial change is evident in the education landscape as most artisans’ children are enrolled, some even advancing to high school. This transformation was helped by prioritizing education and the financial means to afford school essentials like uniforms, books, exam fees and transportation fares. Desiree Arnold, the Production and Business Manager for MayaBags in Belize, attested, “Without a market and an ability to pay the artisans for their skills, traditional hand skills will be lost, at one point, forever.” She discusses how, in villages where women are not being encouraged to practice their skills, the quality of their traditional crafts has steadily declined. However, traditional skills thrive in the nine villages where MayaBags operates and remain vibrant.

Conclusion

The success story of MayaBags serves as a testament to the transformative potential of empowering local artisans and fostering entrepreneurial endeavors rooted in cultural heritage. By providing avenues for economic autonomy and education, initiatives like MayaBags preserve traditional hand skills and uplift entire communities, paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future in Belize.

– Lilah Dees
Photo: Flickr