In the small lake community of San Marcos, on the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlán in the central highlands of Guatemala, approximately 40 Maya Cakchiquel artisans work together to crochet MayaWorks' handmade fair trade kippot or yarmulkes. The women crochet to generate a steady income for themselves and their families. Each handmade yarmulke takes approximately 4 hours to create. Artisans are paid a fair wage for each kippah. They also receive additional benefits that align with MayaWorks' fair trade principles such as literacy trainings, eye exams and eyeglass donations, skills and leadership trainings, low-interest microloans as well as scholarships for artisans' daughters to attend school. Maya artisans began making crocheted kippot several years ago on the suggestion of a Jewish friend who visited the artisans and saw them crocheting hacky sacks. She said if the women can make hacky sacks they can make yarmulkes! After a few lessons in how to make the kippot rounded and shaped, the women set to work creating this new product. Some months later, MayaWorks realized the artisans were unsure of what they were creating. A discussion ensued that talked about religious customs, both Mayan and Jewish, and explained the use and meaning of the kippot. "The Maya women's creative designs and patterns have proved to be a perfect match for the kippot," says Jeannie Balanda, Executive Director of MayaWorks. "The women understand the religious significance of the kippot. They are a respectful culture and put a great deal of thought and care into the design and quality of the product."
Psychedelic Rainbow Kippot-Yarmulkes
Our fair trade hand-crocheted Psychedelic Rainbow kippah or yarmulke is an artisan-inspired design. Each Guatemalan kippah is approximately 6 inches in diameter, but variation may occur due to the handmade nature of the yarmulke. Indigenous artisans love bright colors and craft their designs using colors reflected in their “traje”, the traditional Mayan dress used by indigenous men and women in Guatemala. The Guatemalan yarmulkes are 100% cotton. We recommend hand washing in cold water and line drying. Your purchase of our Fair Trade Guatemalan Psychedelic Rainbow Kippot for your simcha is a wonderful Mitzvah. It provides income to the artisans who crochet the kippot which means better food on their family table, better access to health care and school for Maya children. It is the highest form of tzedakah! You can make a difference in the lives of a Maya family in Guatemala!
PLEASE NOTE: The Psychedelic Rainbow kippot may only be available for bulk purchase through special order. Please email info@mayaworks.org or refer to our Kippot Bulk Order FAQ for more information.
We offer discounts to our customers when ordering in bulk quantities:
If you order 14-99 kippot, you receive a 25% discount.
Use promo code KIPPOT25 at checkout
If you'd like to purchase a bulk order of 100 or more kippot, contact MayaWorks at info@mayaworks.org for a 50% discount code.
For more information about bulk ordering, please see our FAQ or contact MayaWorks at info@mayaworks.org for any questions regarding our bulk discounts.