Guatemalan weaver's textiles reach European markets after 40 years of practice

Alonso Fuentes learned to use a traditional foot loom at age 15 in Guatemala, a skill that has now propelled his textiles to the European market.

Fuentes, now 59, operates his workshop in the village of Llano Grande, San Pedro Sacatepéquez. His father encouraged him to learn a trade, leading him to apprentice with a renowned master weaver. While it typically took a year to master the loom, Fuentes learned the craft in just three months through dedication.

For four decades, Fuentes has produced traditional fabrics for everyday garments. He has adapted his production to meet contemporary market demands while preserving ancestral techniques. His family, including three generations, now collaborates on this project.

His colorful textiles are exported to Europe via El Puente Guatemala, a fair trade organization that acts as an intermediary. The Swedish company Afroart then acquires these Guatemalan fabrics for distribution in Europe, where they are used for home decor items like cushions and pillows. Each piece of fabric takes about 15 days to create, requiring constant precision.