Traditional craftsmanship
The worldview, aesthetic tastes and daily life of early peoples were captured in clay.
Other ethnic groups such as the Tawahkas, Pechs and Tolupanes were expert at working with fibers and other plant and animal parts to make houses, vessels, mats, ornaments, musical and hunting instruments, and tree-bark cloths for blankets, clothing and ceremonies, just like the Maya.
The arrival of the Spanish colonists brought with it the introduction of new ethnic, cultural, technological, aesthetic and functional elements. The colonizers' material needs led to the introduction of new arts and styles.
Independence also brought changes in craft production, seeing the decline of certain arts and the emergence of new opportunities.
Craftsmanship today
The persistence of craft activity in Honduras is due to the preservation of traditional cultural patterns. If you're looking for typical Honduran souvenirs and gifts, here's an indicative list:
Traditional Garifuna handicrafts, found in Tela and the Bay Islands, reflect their coastal heritage, using materials such as wood, shells, coconuts and palm to make baskets, hats, fans and handbags.
Lenca pottery, a typical craft of the La Paz region.
Leather products, such as belts and bags, found at local markets.
Handmade cigars, a Honduran specialty. Flor de Copan cigars are traditionally hand-rolled in the legendary La Flor de Copan factory. This factory is a continuation of the country's oldest factory, the Real Factoria de Tabacos, founded in 1796.
Jade and gemstonejewelry are typical of the country.
Colonial-style paintings, a form of naive folk art.
Straw hats, a popular accessory throughout the country.
Hand-woven textiles , found in the markets of San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.
Where to buy souvenirs?
In Copán, you'll find the most comprehensive range of handicrafts and souvenirs produced in Honduras in craft stores and artists' stalls offering jade jewelry, colonial-style paintings, wood carvings and accessories.
Locally-produced handicrafts include carved replicas of various Mayan stelae and figures. Most are genuine works of art, handcrafted piece by piece. Many of these hand-carved replicas travel the world.
In El Progreso, there's a handicraft school - Imapro - where you can watch student artisans carve pieces from mahogany and cedar wood. What's more, the pieces are on display and a wide variety are available for purchase. The Arte Mahchi gallery also offers a selection of the country's finest handicrafts.
In Santa Barbara, reed weaving has a unifying social function, as men, women and children work as equals. The men cultivate the reeds, while the women and children process the fibers and weave objects such as violet containers and potpourri.
The villages around Santa Bárbara also produce many of Honduras' finest handicrafts.
The Valle de Ángeles has become an important crafts center, with a permanent exhibition of handicrafts from all over the country.
You can stroll through the pavilions and buy excellent handicrafts at attractive prices. One of the highlights is Lesandra Leather, a local leather store where leather goods are made for export.
Items such as leather sandals, scarves and wallets, reed hats and carved wooden chests are on display in the national handicrafts pavilion and can be purchased at reasonable prices.
In Honduras, local markets are the best place to find handmade products by local artisans and artists.
In other markets, such as Guamilito in San Pedro Sula and San Isidro in Tegucigalpa, you'll find typical handicrafts such as wooden carcasses, cigars, leather goods, straw hats and hand-woven textiles. In addition to handicrafts, markets are the center of local life, where you can find everything from fruit and vegetables to clothing and household items.
You can't buy it, let alone bring it back, but it's art. It's a well-known fact that the most beautiful souvenirs you can take home with you are the ones that will stay with you forever:
In Comayagua, the house where José Trinidad Cabañas was born and the house where Francisco Morazán lived are now national monuments under conservation. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the city as a tourist attraction, in addition to its rich colonial architecture and museums, is the traditional celebration of Semana Santa (Holy Week). During this celebration, more than twenty sawdust carpets are made. These carpets are the personal work of several families and institutions who have been making this magnificent craft for years.
How cheap is shopping in Honduras?
In general, Honduras is a fairly affordable country in which to buy souvenirs and gifts. In local markets, you'll find goods at very reasonable prices, and you can bargain for a better price, but remember that it's important to be respectful and negotiate fairly.
On the other hand, in shopping malls and international brand stores, prices are much higher.
