Cinta from Aguacatan, Guatemala

124" (over 10') long x 4 1/2" wide

This cinta or hair ribbon was woven on a back-strap loom on a traditional base of red cotton with two white warp-edge stripes.  They are normally more than 8 ft. long and finished with multi-colored tassels on each end.   The wearing, and thus the weaving, of these cintas, is becoming rarer as they are mostly worn by older women.   The cinta is first wound around the ponytail, covering it and taking up most of the cinta's length. The ponytail is then wrapped around the head leaving the pompoms to hang just behind the ears.

This cinta is heavily brocaded with geometric designs in reds, blues, and greens.