Yumana Store

Labor is an initiative focused on promoting Mexican artisan work. We seek to enhance the wealth of our culture, preserve its traditions and support communities through fair trade. We offer a selection of artisan objects, made by hand, using traditional techniques and materials, by artisans of different localities. We invite you to visit our gallery in Yumana Kitchen. @labor_mx 1 “Mexico, a country of strong contrasts, unmatched wealth, majestic geography and astonishing cultural heritage, contributes to the world with, among many treasures, that of its crafts. For centuries, expert hands have produced goods for everyday life, religious ceremonies and civic festivals of our country. Currently, these pieces have gained value nationally and internationally. Their manufacture is a source of pride for Mexicans, in which we recognize our identity. We appreciate them for their beauty and, in many cases, for their symbolism. Being a reflection of our history, our culture and idiosyncrasy, Mexican crafts are also a reflection of dedication, skill, passion, aesthetic sense, imagination and fantasy of our people. 2 In general, the elaboration of handicrafts begins with the obtaining and preparation of the raw material, starting from plants and land, the elaboration of the dyes and even the manufacture of special tools. Entire families, from children to grandparents, dedicate themselves, generation after generation, to the creation of handcrafted objects. Today twelve million mexicans are artisans. Supporting its production as well as promoting their acquisition and use, are essential actions to promote the permanence of the native people; traditions and culture of a country that is fundamental part of the cultural heritage of humanity. Mexican crafts are divided into 18 branches and 35 sub-branches, depending on the raw materials and techniques used in its preparation. The official classification includes the following branches: Pottery and ceramics, Stonework and lapidary, Chandlery, Glass, Natural fibers, Instruments musicals, Toys, Maque and lacquer, Masks, Metalwork, Materials miscellaneous, Miniatures, Furniture and accessories, Paper and cardboard, Popular painting, Saddlery, Wood carving and Textiles. “ 1 This is a small compilation of some of the artisan branches, among the great variety existing, with which we work. 1. Introductory text, exhibition of the collection “Pride of my country. Mexican Crafts ”, Grupo Salinas. 3 POTTERY Perhaps we are facing the most ancient and complete artisan branch, since its elaboration brings together the four elements: fire, earth, water and air. Its birth, coupled with the discovery of fire, came to revolutionize human activities. An elaboration that honors nature and places it at the service of humanity. 4 TONALTECA CLAY State: Jalisco. Region: Center. Ethnicity: Zapotecas, Toltecas y Nahualtecas. The art of turning the earth into clay or mud and of transforming its properties with fire was one of the first inventions of the human being. Tonalá or Tonallan in Nahuatl, which means “place where the Sun rises”, is a municipality in the state of Jalisco, it is one of the most important artisan centers of Mexico, known as the cradle potter. Recognized worldwide, the crafts of this town have transcended for their beauty and technical precision. It merges pre-Hispanic techniques, ancestral legacy Mexican, with others incorporated since the arrival of the Spaniards. The talent of the Tonaltecan hands is reflected in objects of all kinds, from everyday utensils to decorations that show scenes of indigenous life, its fauna and flora, and its festivals; all with specific regional motifs. Canelo clay, burnished clay, Petatillo clay and Betus clay are some of the most representative techniques of the region, recognized nationally and internationally. 6 BLACK CLAY State: Jalisco. Region: Center. Ethnicity: Zapotecas, Toltecas y Nahualtecas. Black clay, a thousand-year-old technique, dating back to pre-Hispanic times, particularly within the Zapotec culture, was used beyond the elaboration of decorative and utilitarian objects; it kept a ritual and sacred meaning when offered as a ceremonial sacrifice for the gods. Currently considered one of the most representative pottery styles of Mexico, black clay is part of the traditional pottery production of the state of Oaxaca. However, there is a variant of the original technique, which has been practiced only in Tonalá Jalisco for six generations. Each piece is born from powder mixed with water, which is kneaded, molded, dried and left to rest. during three days. Once dry, it is smoothed using river stones and it is polished by rubbing with pyrite. The cooking process begins with the raw piece, baked during about three hours. Subsequently, each piece must pass, one by one, over a eucalyptus litter fire. It is at this time that the clay is stained with its characteristic color, as result of a natural oxidation process. 9 GLAZED CLAY State: Michoacán. Region: West. Ethnicity: Purépechas. The popular art and crafts of Mexico are illustrated through its pottery. Among the diversity of pottery techniques, glazed clay, made by the indigenous community of San José de Gracia, Michoacán, stands out as one of the most recognized internationally, not only for its quality, but for its complexity and the fusion of pre-Hispanic techniques it uses. There is a small group of creators of these artisan pieces, originally from the Purépecha region, whose technique is kept alive by being inherited from generation to generation. The meticulous work begins with the clay, collected from the surrounding natural banks, left to dry in the sun. Subsequently, it must be ground into a fine powder, which is sifted, mixed with water and kneaded, before resting for three days. Every piece, every detail is molded by hand. As the general figure takes shape, it is allowed to dry shade for a whole day. The famous pieces of glazed clay are characterized by their complex and beautiful decoration. The technique used is a fine hand-molded pastillage, within which they elaborate figures such as the shell, flower, pineapple, fine beak, pinch and biznaga. Once finished, it is left to dry in the shade for 3 days and then in the sun for another 10. For the first burning, each piece is covered with a white paste and simmered in a wood oven. 11 NATURAL FIBERS The fabric of natural fibers is one of the Mexican artisanal forms, whose origins in our country date back to around 6000 before Christ. Linking, surciring and resizing has been part of the activities of man since ancient times. The noble hands of the artisans, who keep this tradition alive, transform materials such as tule, chuspata, ixtle, reed, palm, pita, willow rod, wheat or straw fiber, in a wide variety of utilitarian and decorative objects that evoke our past. 14 PALM WEAVE State: Michoacán. Region: Lacustre. Ethnicity: Purépechas. Introduced by the Spanish during the Colonia, this branch of artisanal production was developed in indigenous communities according to the division of specialties implemented by Vasco de Quiroga in Michoacan. The craft of basket weaving begins with the gathering and selection of the correct variety of palm, which grows in the mountains. The leaves are transported on mules or donkeys to the workshops, where they are cracked, boiled and washed, before standing in the sun for three or four days. The palm can be used in its original tone or colored with natural dyes such as coffee or hibiscus. With the hands as the only tool, the palm is separated and soaked to regain its elasticity and easy handling. Once ready, it is transformed by different techniques such as sewing, spiral winding, weaving and crooked, in meticulous objects. 16 TULE & CHUSPATA WEAVE State: Michoacán. Region: Lacustre. Ethnicity: Purépechas. Since immemorial times, the artisans of the lake region of Pátzcuaro elaborate diverse objects with tule and chuspata, varieties of bulrush. The tule and the chuspata, are species of reeds that thrive on the shores and shallow parts of lakes and other bodies of water in the central strip of the country. Currently, in the family workshops of the communities of the region, endles objects are made, representing everyday images taken from their immediate and common environment, with materials obtained directly from the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro. The harvesting process, known as sajado, is performed with the help of a tool with a very sharp blade, used to cut the roots submerged in water. The drying work lasts approximately twenty days, during which the leaves are spread out in the morning and collected in the afternoon, alternating both faces to receive the sun. Like other types of plant fibers, it is necessary to soak the leaves before handling. There are several weaving techniques, single, double, fretwork, etc.; with the help of a smooth, rounded and heavy stone that is used for ironing, they are used according to the figure to be built. 18 TEXTILE Mexican textile art has centuries of history, it is part of a network of memories and processes, which arose in pre-Hispanic times and were intertwined with new experiences and contexts resulting from the colonization. It tells a story that goes beyond fabrics, talks about territories, people, relationships and creativity throughout the country. A wide diversity of traditions, customs, mestizajes and cosmogías, place Mexico as one of the main countries recognized for its beautiful artistic production in the textile world. The richness and vitality of Mexican fabrics derives from the fusion of influences from the Spaniards, which are reflected in the material culture of many groups. In each of the corners of the country, there are textile artists, weavers and embroiderers who have taken the task of immortalizing the techniques and symbolisms of our ancestors through true works of art. 20 PEDAL LOOM State: Michoacán. Region: Lacustre. Ethnicity: Purépechas. The pedal loom is an ancient technique that was introduced in Mexico by the Spanish in the 16th century.

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