GUATEMALAN TZUTES, MANTELES,
and CINTAS

Tzutes and manteles are flat handwoven cloths used for both ceremonial and utilitarian purposes by native Guatemalans.

Tzutes can be square or rectangular and most are woven on backstrap looms in beautiful decorative weaves. Ceremonial tzutes worn by men in Mayan religious ceremonies are wrapped around the head similar to a kerchief and tied in the back. Some worn by women are folded and placed on top of the head. Others are used to wrap things up and carry them on the head.

Manteles tend to be larger rectangular or square pieces, not ceremonial, used for many purposes. They can be used to wrap objects up and carry them like we might carry a large bag. They can even be used as baby carriers, with two ends tied together around the waist and the other two around the neck. They can be seen as multipurpose utility cloths.

Cintas are very long and much narrower pieces of handwoven fabric and have an ornate brocade or other decorative weave band or bands. They are used as headwraps in traditional Guatemalan women’s native dress. They would be wrapped around the head many times in different ways, with styles specific to each village.