“What do I feel when I see all of this?” María asks while her eager eyes proudly observe the tablecloths, napkins, coasters, coin purses, and bags, among other handmade pieces embroidered by her and her co-workers from Chuuy ti´k´ab (“hand sewing”) in Texán de Palomeque. She looks at me and a wide smile anticipates her response: “Nice…and now I know of its good quality.”
A chorus of coy and complicit chuckles joined in, along with comments about how they couldn’t imagine doing what they’re doing now: having a business and being able to offer a catalog of decorative items, tablecloths, linens, and accessories with unique designs and high quality that are sold online and available on request.
Over the past eight years, Maya women of all ages from the town of Texán de Palomeque, and recently from Hunkanab (both part of the Hunucmá municipality), joined forces under the Fundación Legorreta Hernández to create an embroidering group that has been evolving until becoming a company. “We have learned how to embroider anything, to dye, to create from modern drawings, to combine colors… of course some things have taken more effort, but we feel good,” they say while showing examples of what they do, a mix of traditional embroidery with modern techniques and designs.
Colorful threads that form animal figures, such as butterflies, maquech (beetles), turix (dragonflies), chain-stitched, “margarita” stitched, backwards stitched, thrown stitched, and cross stitched, as well as frayed, on linen and cotton fabric. Everything is hand-made with high quality, the result of the work of ten women that form Chuuy ti´k´ab. They manage the company on their own, handle their income and orders, making a positive impact on their families. On each product’s tag you can read the name of the embroiderer and the hours dedicated to its manufacture. They make beautiful things!
Promoting beekeeping at Texán as well, the Fundación Legorreta Hernández has contributed to the co-creation of the brand Muuk´ Kaab (“bee’s strength”), with packaged presentations of melipona honey, multifloral, and Dzidilché tree honey, benefiting more than 38 families. Their logo refers to their Maya roots, with the representative figure of Chichén Itzá and the symbolic hexagonal shape of the hives. The men dedicated to the beekeeping have consolidated their own company winning awards like Best Walmart Provider, among others. The honey can be acquired in that supermarket and in organic produce stores in Mérida.
Texán de Palomeque is a small town known mainly for the beauty of its private hacienda, and now for the Maya men and women who give color and sweetness to some very Yucatecan products.
Orders and visits:
Fundación Legorreta Hernández: Tel (999) 920 1328
Miel Muuk Kaab: Cel. 9997 46 74 65, Facebook: Miel Muuk Kaab
Bordados y textiles Chuuy ti’k’ab: Cel. 9992 34 62 28, Facebook: Chuytikab
Both with online stores at www.surestemexico.com
Editorial and photos by Violeta H. Cantarell for Yucatán Today’s use
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