Striped belt with ikat

This wide belt (faja in Spanish) is woven on a hip loom from self-dyed cotton and has blue and red stripes. The blue cotton threads have been coloured using the Ikat technique (also known as Jaspe technique). Besides that, cotton yarns have been used that have been dyed using the Jaspe technique (also known as the Ikat technique). Jaspe is a dyeing technique in knots where decorative motifs are produced. In this technique, specific parts of the thread are covered (by knotting the thread in specific places) to prevent these parts from becoming coloured when the thread is dipped in the paint. When the knots are undone, after dyeing, the thread contains dyed and unpainted segments. During weaving, figures are formed with these threads. \The belt was collected in Tancanhuitz and is worn in this region by the Hua tics and sometimes Nahuas who live here. It was, however, woven by Otomis from Tenango de Doria prov. Hidalgo. (See Cordry, p. 140 and pl. 6a, no. 2.). A belt is the garment used to tie the wraparound skirt or pants and hold them up high. In addition, belts are used to support the abdominal and back muscles while performing heavy work. The idea behind it is to make work easier and prevent injuries. In many places in México and Guatemala the belt is worn during pregnancy to support the woman. In some cases the idea is that the belt protects the baby.