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Guatemalan Huipil

Huipil, Guatemalan, c. 1970, cotton, gift of Elizabeth L. Etnier, 2016.2.14.

A Huipil is a traditional garment worn primarily by women in Mexico and Central America. It is an indigenous design that, although has been morphed by it, survived the Spanish invasion. The Huipil usually is made out of three pieces of cotton or wool cloth that are sown together at the shoulders. This makes the garment very loose and ideal for hot climates. Most of the tunic is a plain white except for intricate decorations on the neck and shoulder areas. This Huipil has a sun and moon motif seen in the rays of sun around the neck ring and the phases of the moon on the shoulders.