One see the hardy indigenous men of San Martín  walking their imposing figure throughout the region with these priestly costumes that they wear with an unequalled charming wit. The mountain serves as an appropriate frame

The interior dress that the San Martín man wears is woven by hand: the decoration of this part of the apparel is not rich and dense except in the sleeves that are visible, the rest covered by an overcoat of heavy black wool. Additionally, the sash at the waist, with similar designs as the sleeve, in red, green, gold and purple silk, gives the outfit a sumptuousness without equal except, perhaps, for the indigenous of Santo Tomás Chichicastenango.

By Carlos Merida
Translated from the Spanish by Joseph Johnston

El vestido interior que lleva el varón de San Martín, está tejido a mano: la decoración de esta parte de la indumentaria no se hace rica y compacta sino en la manga, que es la visible, una vez puesto el "gabán" de pesada lana negra. Además, la faja a la cintura, con diseños semejantes al de la manga, en seda roja, verde, oro y morada, dá al conjunto una suntuosidad no igualada sino, talvez, por los indígenas de Santo Tomás Chichicastenango.

Por Carlos Merida

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