Artisan Profile

Purchasing these handmade scarves from the Vivaz Women’s Cooperative, located in San Luis Los Ranchos, supports Salvadoran culture and female empowerment. 

The “añil” or indigo dye they use is indigenous to the region and was once used by the ancient Mayas. Indigo is a natural plant, and only works on natural cotton fabric. The indigo plant is cut and put into water for fermentation. At the end of the bathing process, the deep blue dye is left at the bottom of the waterbed and then used to create these beautiful textiles.