Morrales: Todos Santos New Zippered Shoulder Bags (Crocheted, Many Colors, 12" x 12")

Todo Santo Crocheted Bags ---These colorful and handy shoulder bags have zippers and adjustable shoulder straps.  They are made and worn by Mayan men, but they make a wonderful shoulder bag for girls and women too.  Size: approximately 12" x 12 .   I have purchased these for many years from Francisco from Todos Santos.  When I saw him in January 2020 h e said that the artisans he has bought them from, are making fewer and fewer.            

Morrales or "Man Bags" from the Mayan Highlands of Guatemala --- Mayan men and boys made and wore Morrales, long before "Man Bags" became a fashion item.  Men needed something to carry their valuables, and lunch as they walked to the "milpa", the small plot of land where they planted "maize" (corn) or took the chicken bus to the market. The basic style of a Morrale is a rectangular bag with a shoulder strap.  The materials the bag is made of and the design varies quite a bit from one pueblo to another as well as the individual skill and vision of the artisan who makes them.  Some are woven from maguey, others are crocheted from cotton or wool, and some are knitted from various "hilo" threads.  Usually the man makes the bag himself.  Some are made on the road as the man walks the long distance to the milpa.