Cargador c. 20th century

This textile, known as Cargador, was made by Maya artists and its vibrant patterns offer insight into the blend of indigenous tradition and colonial influence. The image creates meaning through its dynamic interplay of visual codes and cultural references. The inclusion of horses is particularly striking. Horses were introduced by the Spanish, so they carry associations with colonization and cultural change. These horses are brightly colored and integrated into the traditional weaving patterns suggesting both the adoption and the indigenization of foreign elements into Maya culture. Figures riding the horses indicate a social hierarchy and the role of the animal as a symbol of power. As art historians, we can draw from a range of resources: studies of weaving techniques, colonial records, and contemporary ethnographies.