Tanate from Rabinal

With roots in Guatemalan daily life and elevated by the artist’s eye, Tanate from Rabinal by David Ordoñez Lacayo reimagines the humble woven bundle as an object of cultural reverence. Wrapped in a richly patterned textile of deep reds, golden accents, and intricate motifs, this tied bundle—or "tanate"—captures both domestic memory and artistic intention in one compact form.
Traditionally used to carry goods and offerings, the tanate is transformed here into a sculptural piece that speaks to labor, ritual, and identity. Ordoñez’s version honors the object’s history while inviting new interpretations: Is it a relic? A symbol? A story? With its tight knot and rounded base, the piece is tactile, grounded, and deeply personal.