Handicrafts from Tlatlauquitepec: hands weaving stories
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The craftsmanship of this town is a sample of the talent and good use of the products that nature provides. From utilitarian pieces to decorative objects, discover everything you can take home to have a little piece of this Pueblo Mágico of Puebla.
✦ Tlatlauquitepec is distinguished by its colorful handcrafted creations. Its handmade pieces by local artists are well known and appreciated, as well as the use of natural resources.
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It is wonderful to learn how the artisans transform the natural raw materials of their region into beautiful pieces that they use for everyday life and that, in addition, today they share with a large community of travelers interested in taking a little piece of Tlatlauquitepec with them in one of these handcrafted works.
Utility art
✦ Wood, metal, natural fibers and fabric are the materials most used by the creative hands of this Pueblo Mágico to create basketry, textiles, toys, jewelry, and -of course- food.
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Baskets, bags and hampers are part of what you can find in this beautiful town where they work mainly with clay, reeds, bejuco, bamboo and cane, which braided, intertwined or woven also give shape to containers, furniture and other functional and decorative objects.
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The work of Mr. Pedro Castañeda de Agustín Chagchaltzin and Cestería El Cerro stands out.
It is also beautiful and very admirable the work they do with the arches of “flor de cucharilla”, which are placed in the church during the patron saint festivities.
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Men and women of all ages tear off the leaves, clean them from the spoon that they bring from other municipalities such as Tepeyahualco. The artisans place them in an arch made of sticks and reeds, a process they carry out with great effort and commitment.
Their textiles also stand out for their colorful embroidery, which you will get to know.
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You won’t be able to resist the handcrafted embroidery on blouses, shirts, coats, shawls, huipiles, napkins and other garments that are made with cotton and wool thread dyed with vibrant colors.
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The main producers of these textiles are Bordados Cruz Peláez, Bordados Ventura Hernández and Bordados Margohisa from communities such as Acocogta.
Also highly appreciated are the objects made in silver jewellery, such as the fish earrings that are a perfect gift to give and pamper oneself.
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These are made from pieces that are assembled in such a way that, once assembled, they have movement as if they were a mobile. This craftsmanship has been recognized and awarded outside the country, such as in London.
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The goldsmith families that elaborate this art belong to communities such as Ocotlán, where Miguel Maza Argentha works it, and in Huaxtla, where the Valera family does it with great skill.
Making the most
of nature’s gifts
✦ Utilitarian objects carved out of wood are also made here, especially those that can be used in the kitchen, such as ladles and small spoons.
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These objects are not abundant because the artisans prefer to use fallen branches from the trees and not cut them down to make the pieces, but they do take advantage of the available raw material to give it an appropriate use.
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Wooden toys for children are also made, which are also beautiful decorative objects because they are very traditional pieces.
Art for the taste
✦ Gastronomy is also a craft and is one of the most sought-after souvenirs for us gluttonous travelers when we visit new places. It is surprising how much you can learn through the food in an area, its productions and food traditions.
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The traditional liquors and wines, such as Yolixpa, are famous here. The consumable handicrafts are used in celebrations, but it is easy to find them all year round. They are made with elements provided by their land, which makes them much more special
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In communities such as Tatauzoquico and in the central zone, Vinos El Jonuco, Vinos Yola, Vinos Doña Julia, Vinos Serrano and Vinos Artesanales Tlatlahuquitepec make it.
✦ Typical sweets are a must. There is a great variety of crystallized candies such as fig, orange, prickly pear, pineapple, pumpkin, sweet potato and chilacayota.
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Macaroons and jamoncillos are made with milk, while coconut is used to make cocadas and tamarind is used to make the typical spicy sweets. You will find a great variety of stores that offer them, made by families in a traditional way, such as Dulces Mora and Dulces Martin.
The house of crafts
✦ As you walk through the streets of Tlatlahuquitepec you will find several points of sale to take with you the esteemed handicrafts and you will feel that attraction that the beautiful pieces make you feel, love at first sight!
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You will also be able to visit the stores that gather several pieces that show the local artistic work. At the Casa del Artesano Cerro Rojo, in the center of the Pueblo Mágico, you will be able to interact and acquire pieces and products made by artisans, such as coffee, different preserves, sauces, “mole en pasta”, weavings, and honey.
Matatena is another important point of sale, located inside the Hotel San Jorge.
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Don’t forget to visit these establishments to enjoy, taste and get to know the people who make them so you can take home more of what is produced locally, with pride but above all with a lot of love:
⁎*⋄ Explore, in portal Morelos, Central Zone.
⁎*⋄ Vinos naturales Doña Julia, liquor factory Tatauzoquico.
⁎*⋄ Vinos Yola, on portal Guerrero, Central Zone.
⁎*⋄ Vinos El Jonuco, on Revolución Avenue, very close to the Municipal Park.
⁎*⋄ Dulces Mora, inside the Municipal Market and on the Guerrero Portal.
⁎*⋄ Hermanos Rodriguez Crafts and Carpentry in Oyameles.
