How was cotton cloth traditionally woven in Mesoamerican communities?

In traditional Mesoamerican communities, the weaving of cotton cloth was a fundamental skill primarily performed by women to provide clothing for their families. Before the introduction of European technologies, this craft was deeply integrated into daily life and household production.1

The primary tool used for this purpose was the back-strap loom. In this system, one bar of the loom was secured to a stationary object, such as a tree, while the second bar was attached to the weaver’s waist by a strap. This design allowed the weaver to control the tension of the warp threads by adjusting her body position, applying pressure as needed to maintain the necessary tautness for weaving.23

While the back-strap loom was the standard for domestic production, the Spanish conquest later introduced the treadle loom, which shifted weaving toward more commercial operations and involved men in the industry. Despite these changes, the traditional practice of weaving remains a significant aspect of the cultural heritage and economic history of indigenous Mesoamerican peoples.14