por The typical Yucatan crafts They are made up of a wide variety of items made with different materials, colors and designs. Most of the time the pieces are handmade, that is why they are original and unique.
The crafts are made by the same people of the area, the Yucatecans. Those who do these jobs are recognized as artisans. The uses of these objects are varied: they can be used in the domestic or decorative sphere.
In Yucatan there is a great craft talent that has lasted from pre-Hispanic times to the present. This talent stands out not only for its neat execution, but also for its genuine and colorful design.
typical handicrafts main from Yucatan
1- Pottery
The pottery in Yucatan begins to develop at the beginning of the Mayan culture, approximately in 1200 a. c.
Its execution is through the direct modeling of clay, using the hands to create the shapes that the craftsman wants.
The clay or “sac-cab” (white earth) is placed on a rectangular table that rotates thanks to a disk that is controlled by the feet. As it rotates, it becomes more comfortable for the artisan to create each piece.
Once the pieces have the desired shape, they are left to dry, polished and then painted to put them in a clay oven.
Everyday objects for cooking or storing water are usually made, as well as flower pots, vases, among others.
2- Embroidery
Specifically in Yucatan there are remains of textiles embroidered with drawings of flowers and stars, which prove the existence of embroidery since pre-Hispanic times.
At present, Yucatecan artisans usually implement two techniques called «xmanikté» or unraveling, and «xkbil-chuy» or counted thread.
Both are considered artistic techniques that are usually achieved in rugs, blankets, blouses, dresses, mantillas and headdresses.
3- Hammocks
Yucatan hammocks are usually made with a fine thread of henequen, which is a species of the agave plant. It also takes very fine rows of cotton or linen.
Its preparation is quite complicated. So much so that the technique to make it is usually transmitted from generation to generation.
4- Goldsmithing
Manual arts such as silverware, carving and sculpture have been perfected over time, thanks to expert sculptors and decorators.
In Yucatan, jewelry confections made with tiny filaments of silver and gold are appreciated.
The region has become famous thanks to the manufacture of necklaces, rosaries, earrings, chains and other precious objects.
5- Saddlery
Saddlery is the manufacture of objects made from animal skin or leather.
The pre-Hispanic culture in Yucatan already made articles made from animal skins.
This activity had a greater impact with the arrival of the Spanish, when they brought other kinds of animals and used their skins to create other objects. This resulted in the craft developing further.
Thanks to saddlery, it has been possible to manufacture bags, briefcases, wallets, belts, cases, shoes, purses, among other elements.
6- Tortoiseshell
In Yucatán there are many craft workshops dedicated to hawksbill, material extracted from the shell of the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
This artisan tradition dates back to the 17th century, during the colonial era, when the wealthiest people requested the use of this material to decorate furniture, costume jewelery or chests of noble houses.
Later, after decolonization, its use became more popular, being used for the elaboration of guitars, boxes, combs, letter openers or the cachirulos of the costumes of the Veracruzan jarochas.
7- Shell and snail
The sea has always been and will be very present in the life of the Yucatecans and it could not be less in their crafts.
There are many garments for daily use such as necklaces, rosaries, buttons, earrings, earmuffs, bracelets or musical instruments that are arranged with ornaments of shells and snails, mollusks extracted from the coast and that help the subsistence of many families.
Reference
De la Torre, Francis. (1994). mexican folk art. Mexico: Trillas.
Morales, Carmen. (1992). Five crafts from eastern Yucatan. Mérida: CULTURE-Government of Edo. From Yucatan.
Rasmussen, Christian and Teran, Silvia. (2013). Yucatan Crafts. Merida: Dante.
Teran, Silvia. (1981). Yucatan Handicrafts. Mérida: PESIP-Art and Communication-General Directorate of Popular Cultures-SEP.
Turok, Martha. (1988). How to approach the craft. Mexico: SEP. Plaza and Valdes.