Yucatan handicrafts
Mayan hammock. The essential naptime accessory! You see them everywhere, and it doesn't take long before you want to bring one home. The Yucatán Peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful and comfortable hammocks in Mexico, and among the most sought-after in the world. The "hammock village" is Tixkokob, 22 km from Mérida. Almost all the hammocks sold in Mérida come from here. It's advisable to buy at least the "matrimonial" size, which makes it easier to sit diagonally and curl up in the hammock almost horizontally. Originally made from sisal thread, today's hammocks are made from cotton, or nylon and polypropylene. Cotton is more pleasant and comfortable, but warmer; synthetic hammocks, adopted by many Yucatecs, are cooler and more resistant to humidity, but less so to the sun. For a beautiful hammock and the best comfort, choose one made of "pearl" cotton, with a fine weave that perfectly combines softness and strength. The price of a hammock depends on the material used and the quality of the weave.
Cocoyol seed jewelry. This is one ofIzamal's specialties. Cocoyol is a palm of the areca family with tapering spines. The oil and pulp extracted from its seeds are traditionally used as food, medicinal remedies or to make soaps. Artisans use them to make magnificent necklaces, bracelets, earrings or rosaries, using an ancestral technique: once the seed has fallen to the ground, it must be buried for several years to dry, reduce in size and harden. It is then polished to a lustrous black bead. Cocoyol jewelry is often combined with henequén thorns or silver. Most of the pure silver jewelry found in stores on the Yucatán Peninsula comes from the town of Taxco (Guerrero state). Amber jewelry generally comes from Chiapas. Beware of counterfeits: we recommend buying from certified stores.
Sisal crafts (henequén). Long before the arrival of the conquistadors, the Mayans of Yucatán used the highly resistant fiber extracted from the sisalana agave (sisal) to make ropes, bags and mats. Yucatán's green gold, which made the region rich in the 19th century - as evidenced by the old haciendas, particularly in Campeche and the Mérida region - is now used to make a wide range of handicrafts: rugs, baskets, hats, bags, portmanteaus, dreamcatchers...
Stone sculptures. The villages of Dzityá, Muna, Tixhualahtún, Halachó and Kankab have specialized in stonework, preserving ancient Mayan techniques. There are all kinds of decorative pieces, some depicting Mayan deities.
Woodcarving dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Spanish missionaries used Mayan talent to carve religious icons and altarpieces. Little by little, woodcarving diversified and became a popular art form, with figurines representing typical musicians, local animals and so on. The main woods used are red or white cedar, guayacán and Chaká(Bursera simaruba), very hard tropical woods.
Masks. Masks representing animals or divinities have always been a central element in pre-Columbian ceremonies, dances and rituals. Made of wood, clay or papier-mâché, they make an original decoration for your living room.
Ceramics. Pre-Columbian ceramics discovered on archaeological sites have been an invaluable source of information on the lifestyle and rituals of pre-Columbian civilizations. The villages of Ticul and Uayma are renowned for their pottery and ceramics. Craftsmen work in the traditional way with the K'abal, or wheel, to produce pieces of great beauty: jugs, azulejos, masks, replicas of Mayan sculptures and more.
Shell necklaces and bracelets. Since pre-Columbian times, the Maya have used shells and other marine materials for rituals and ornaments. They made pendants, bracelets, earrings and musical instruments, such as the famous "snail trumpet". Working with bull's horn replaced the now fortunately forbidden work with the shell of the hawksbill turtle(tortuga carey), an endangered marine species known for its thick scales.
(entdossierthemarub)7401:texte (entdossierthemarub)7402:texteGuayabera, hipil and sombrero jipi
Light, elegant and practical, the guayabera is ideal for the region's hot, humid climate. Gentlemen, don't deprive yourself! This typical Caribbean shirt has four pockets, two on the chest and two on the waist (some more casual models have only two). They are traditionally white, but are now available in beige or pastel colors. They are decorated with vertical lines or embroidery, and worn over pants. The guayabera is worn by men, both in everyday life and on special occasions (weddings, cultural or political events, etc.), where it is an ideal replacement for a suit. Several countries claim guayabera origins, from Mexico to Cuba, via the Dominican Republic and the Philippines... Guayabera 's success with the Yucatecan elite began at the end of the 19th century, when it was first made in Merida. Today, they can be found in every clothing and craft store on the peninsula. They come in all price ranges, with quality varying widely. Cotton or linen guayaberas are preferable to polyester ones. The latter are less expensive and easier to care for, but much less pleasant to wear. If 100% cotton or linen guayaberas don't fit in your budget, opt for a 65% synthetic 35% cotton blend. Long sleeves are more elegant and formal, but for a 35-degree vacation, short sleeves will do just fine!
On the feminine side, hipil (or huipil as it's known outside the peninsula) is also very comfortable and elegant. This traditional Mayan garment, to which modest Europeans added their style in colonial times, is made of a rectangular, sleeveless cotton fabric that reaches down to the knees. Traditionally white, the hipil is embellished with colorful embroidery depicting flowers or geometric motifs at the bottom and at the neckline. These motifs often have symbolic significance. Under the hipil, women usually wear a long, semi-transparent petticoat called a fustán, which features the same embroidered motifs. The fine embroidery is done in silk thread, using ancestral techniques that require a great deal of patience. Hipils in white or colored, with modern, chic designs, are easy to find in stores across the peninsula, and are sure to make a splash on your next summer evening!
What headgear to wear under the Yucatán sun? The most elegant is undoubtedly the sombrero jipi, commonly known as the "panama de Bécal". This timeless hat with extraordinary qualities is woven from fibers extracted from the jipijapa palm, imported in the 19th century from the village of the same name in Ecuador, where authentic "panamas" are made. The village of Bécal, between Mérida and Campeche, has been making these magnificent hats for generations. To preserve the flexibility of the palm, precise humidity conditions are essential. So the craftsmen work underground, in caves! These hats are expensive, but they are the finest in the world, along with authentic Ecuadorian Panama hats. Such is their finesse that they return to their original shape after being bent in all directions. The softest ones can even fit through a ring! Don't hesitate to ask to visit a workshop to appreciate the dexterity of the craftsmen.
And of course some sweets!
Mexico has many memorable gastronomic experiences, and the Yucatán Peninsula is no exception! For those who like their food spicy, be sure to buy a few hot sauces, home-made if possible. Not for sissies either, mezcal and tequila of course! Although they're not made in the region, you'll find a huge selection in souvenir stores and supermarkets. These famous "100% agave" Mexican liqueurs make great gifts for those who appreciate alcohol. More original is a bottle of Xtabentún, an ancestral liqueur made from the fermentation of xtabentún flower honey, produced by melipona bees, to which aniseed is added.
Mexican chocolate made from cocoa beans, sometimes with the addition of amaranth and cinnamon, is a gourmet's delight. Bring back some pure cocoa to impress your friends with the typical mole sauce , made with chilli and cocoa. A few packets of coffee from Chiapas, Veracruz or Oaxaca will delight coffee lovers. You can also take home vanilla pods and related products. Mesoamerican vanilla is the only one in the world to be pollinated naturally, by the melipone bee and a species of endemic hummingbird. It is highly fragrant and has a powerful taste. The most famous are produced in Veracruz. Gaya and Reyna Orlando are recommended brands. Beware, however, that the vanilla sold in supermarkets is often of synthetic origin! Finally, treat yourself to Melipone honey, with its pronounced floral taste. It was produced and consumed by the Mayans long before the arrival of the conquistadors.
