Our history

We are a collective brand of Mexican design, formed by social artisanal companies from the Yucatan Peninsula and a creative team that works to preserve the living Maya culture. We work with different artisan communities to strengthen value chains and generate sustainable sources of income for them, through the creation and fair commercialization of artisanal pieces. Taller Maya was born in 2002 as a response to an initiative to recover techniques specific to the Maya culture and training and self-management programs led by the Haciendas del Mundo Maya Foundation. Today we collaborate with 42 artisan workshops in 32 communities in the Yucatan Peninsula. Each of our pieces represents the dialogue between the wisdom of the Maya culture and contemporary design.‍

Our Impact

Training workshops

Generation of formal jobs

Fair trade counseling

Access to a global market

Generation of strengthened community

Marilú Hernández, Founder
“We weave paths of success towards new forms of collaboration. Paths towards innovative proposals in which the wisdom, the aesthetic sense of Maya culture, and contemporary design are linked in unique concepts.”

Artisans and their work

Each social enterprise works in a workshop with the tools to create, using ancestral techniques and materials specific to the region, unique handmade objects that carry the history and knowledge of their land and Maya culture. We start from a vision of cultural rescue in harmony with the community. Social enterprises work side by side with the design team to create a dialogue between the wisdom of Maya culture and contemporary design. The work of Taller Maya as a platform for access to a network of fair and global trade has had a tangible impact on the artisan communities of the Yucatan Peninsula.‍

Techniques

WARPED

Developed in the Antilles. Over time, it has been perfected by Mayan artisans to become a meditative art.

STONE CARVING

From miniature pieces to monumental ones, it was one of the greatest artistic expressions of the ancient Maya.

WOODCARVING

Another one of the greatest artistic expressions of the ancient Maya. Today, artisans sustainably collect wood from the jungle floor.

MAYA WAIST LOOM

Developed by the Mayan culture in the western mountains of Guatemala. The loom is held at two ends, one of them being the weaver‘s waist. 

HORN CARVING

It was introduced in the Viceroyalty in Mexico and has been perfected over time by the Mayans. Today, only recovered material is used.

PEDAL LOOM

Introduced in Colonial times to Mexico and originating in Egypt. Ideal for working in large formats. The Mayans developed textiles since pre-Hispanic times.

HENEQUÉN COSTURADO‘ -> ‘STITCHED HENEQUEN

The wet and combed fibers of the native material from the Peninsula are circularly rolled, forming layers that are sewn together to build everyday objects.

FILIGREE

It originates from the Mixtec culture but developed in Yucatan during the Conquest of Mexico. Fine threads of silver and gold are used to create different organic patterns.

PALM TISSUE
Originally from tropical areas, it has been developed in various cultures including the Maya for the creation of everyday objects. 
JIPIJAPA FABRIC
The jipijapa is a plant native to the tropical areas of the American continent. Mayan artisans collect the jipi to prepare its fibers and weave them.
MACHINE EMBROIDERY
It represents the skill and ability of the artisans to capture through a tool the tradition and motifs of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Nicte-ha

Hand embroidered. 3 members: Elena Chi Noh, María Miriam del Roció Pool Cauich, Madelaine Cauich Balam.

Nicte-ha
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Mexican Handcrafted Design - Maya Workshop
Discover Taller Maya, a collective brand rooted in the rich Maya culture of the Yucatan Peninsula. Since 2002, we have been dedicated to revitalizing ancestral techniques and creating sustainable income opportunities
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