Projects
The success of this project comes from its origins in
the indigenous community. Many women had been
looking for alternatives to the traditional kneeling
posture.
the indigenous community. Many women had been
looking for alternatives to the traditional kneeling
posture.
A pilot project was conducted by
Oxlajuj B'atz' (OB) and Synergo
from May 2005 through February
2007. OB is an educational non
profit project that serves the 300
Mayan women who sell their
textiles through fair trade
organizations Mayan Hands and
Maya Traditions. The pilot
project involved a participatory
social process.
Oxlajuj B'atz' (OB) and Synergo
from May 2005 through February
2007. OB is an educational non
profit project that serves the 300
Mayan women who sell their
textiles through fair trade
organizations Mayan Hands and
Maya Traditions. The pilot
project involved a participatory
social process.
Artisans working in any medium (e.g., fiber,
wood, metal, clay, stone, glass, etc.) can
benefit from applying the ergonomics
principles used in this project.
wood, metal, clay, stone, glass, etc.) can
benefit from applying the ergonomics
principles used in this project.
| Copyright © 2006-2007 Karen Piegorsch. All rights reserved. |
| OB project team |
| Herlinda Tzep, Ramona Kirschenman, and Juana Ramos |
| Synergo technology design team |
The Backstrap Weaver's Ergonomic Bench
Synergo created the Backstrap Weavers’ Ergonomic Bench to help
indigenous women artisans increase their earning potential through
enhanced productivity and improved textile quality, while also
preventing cumulative damage to their bodies.
indigenous women artisans increase their earning potential through
enhanced productivity and improved textile quality, while also
preventing cumulative damage to their bodies.
The bench allows weavers to produce more, with less effort, in less
time, and with higher quality, while preserving their weaving culture.
This new technology is revolutionary in its positive economic benefit
to women who depend on the centuries-old tradition of backstrap
weaving for their livelihood.
time, and with higher quality, while preserving their weaving culture.
This new technology is revolutionary in its positive economic benefit
to women who depend on the centuries-old tradition of backstrap
weaving for their livelihood.
“I want a bench like my mother has now, so that my body won't
get the years of abuse and pain that hers has.”
get the years of abuse and pain that hers has.”
And from their daughters
“What used to take me three days to weave now takes two.”
What Mayan weavers are saying:
“I used to be able to weave for 30 minutes, then had to quit for
the pain; now I can weave for three hours with no pain.”
the pain; now I can weave for three hours with no pain.”
The cloth “comes off the loom with straighter edges and more
evenly packed weft,” and “it's cleaner because it’s not so close
to the ground while it’s being woven."
evenly packed weft,” and “it's cleaner because it’s not so close
to the ground while it’s being woven."
Ergonomic challenge:
Ergonomic solution:
| Weaving with the ergonomic bench |
| Traditional posture kneeling to weave |
The Backstrap Weavers’ Ergonomic
Bench provides a viable alternative to
the traditional kneeling posture. It
consists of a bench that rocks with
the rhythm of the weaver's body and
an interlocking footrest that provides
stability and leverage.
Bench provides a viable alternative to
the traditional kneeling posture. It
consists of a bench that rocks with
the rhythm of the weaver's body and
an interlocking footrest that provides
stability and leverage.
Synergo is scaling up from the overwhelmingly
successful pilot project, to make the bench and
training package available across Guatemala.
successful pilot project, to make the bench and
training package available across Guatemala.
Current Phase
History
Educational materials and services are
offered with the technology so that backstrap
weavers can empower themselves to use the
ergonomic bench safely and to maximum
benefit.
offered with the technology so that backstrap
weavers can empower themselves to use the
ergonomic bench safely and to maximum
benefit.
The traditional method of weaving
with the backstrap loom is very hard
on the weaver’s body. Fatigue, pain
& numbness limit weaving tolerance
(often to less than half an hour), and
are readily evident in how slowly and
stiffly a weaver moves when she gets
up from the ground.
with the backstrap loom is very hard
on the weaver’s body. Fatigue, pain
& numbness limit weaving tolerance
(often to less than half an hour), and
are readily evident in how slowly and
stiffly a weaver moves when she gets
up from the ground.
To find out how you can plan a similar
ergonomics project with your community,
please contact Karen Piegorsch.
ergonomics project with your community,
please contact Karen Piegorsch.
We are working to ensure that the bench is
produced with high quality at an affordable price.
produced with high quality at an affordable price.
location of your community and the number of weavers involved. We will send you updates on the availability of the bench, education, and funding assistance. |
Pilot Project
Product Design
Three aspects that make this product
both new and innovative are:
both new and innovative are:
- its design facilitates the dynamic
process of backstrap weaving;
- the bench and footrest can be
adjusted to fit the weaver’s body
- it can be produced using locally-
available low-cost materials,
thereby empowering local
communities to be self-reliant
and self-sustaining.
| Opportunities to Participate! |
financial donation can help. |
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