Welcome to Cojolya Association's Marketplace

The Cojolya Association is a non-profit fair-trade Maya Women’s Weaving Association located in the highland Tz'utujil town of Santiago Atitlán, situated on the shores of the picturesque Lake Atitlán in Guatemala.

For over a quarter of a century, Cojolya Association has been providing sustainable, fair-trade work for some 80 women, who weave on the traditional backstrap loom. Cojolya was founded by US designer Candis E. Krummel and Tz'utujil Maya Antonio Ramirez Sosof, who share a mission to preserve and encourage this ancient, but threatened Maya tradition.

Combining the finest, eco-conscious materials with innovative textile designs inspired by nature and art, Cojolya creates accessories, which showcase the structure of the textil and the versatility of the loom. The collection includes accessories for women, men and interior design.

The Cojolya Association also runs an environmental program aimed at improving the lives of its workers, their families, and the local community.

Cojolya Association is honored to be a member of the globally renowned World Fair Trade Association. 

THE COJOLYA ASSOCIATION’S VALUES
Our Association is committed to:

MUSEUM AND WEAVING CENTER
A monument to the traditional Maya art form of backstrap-loom weaving

WEAVING AND CREATION
By challenging the skills of master Tz'utujiil weavers 

FAIR TRADE
In providing the weavers an opportunity to make a just and fair wage

   PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE AND THE PLANET
By maintaining a carbon-free organization through the human-powered
nature of the weaving itself; by using only non-carcinogenic, ecologically sound
dyes and by instigating health and environmental programs in local communities