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Maguey
Morrales :: Paper :: Trenzado y teñido :: Rope
The elaboration of products from maguey is a Pokomchí tradition.
Morrales
Paper
The Pokomchí name of the product is Huj (paper) and the manufacturing process is as follows:
The maguey fibre is bought already processed and is then cut into pieces.
The pieces are boiled in caustic soda and water for 3 hours.
All the pieces are then washed in chlorine and then passed through a hand mill.
The product is then re-soaked in chlorine for another night so that it remains white.
Strain and liquify.
Stir the mixture in a bucket of water place in the mold.
Pine leaves or buganvilea can be placed on the paper for decoration.
The mold is passed a number of times if you want the paper to be thick.
The paper is place to dry on material over wood.
It is dry in 4 hours when there is sun or 2 days when there is not.
In the factory they make envelopes, books, paper, photo frames, etc.
San Cristobal is the only place where they make paper of Maguey.
Dyed and Braided Maguey
This product is made by a group of women from the villages of Nisnic and Tucan Ha', in their free time.
The manufacturing process is as follows:
The maguey fibre, the main material, is bought already processed.
The fibre is dyed with a special dye/ink.
The fibre is left in the dye/ink 4 hours and the dried for half a day.
When the fibre is dry its is platted and coiled in order to make figures, baskets, "individuales", etc.
Rope
La jarcia is one of the most important and characteristic products of the etnia Pokomchi of San Cristobal. Maguey is again the primary material. It is bought already processed or. This product is sold in many markets throughout GUatemala.
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Wood
Marimba :: Carpintería
Marimba
The marimba factory can be found in the calle to the Calvario. There they make and repair marimbas. The majority of the product is only to be sold in locally and to order. The keys are made form "palo de hormigo" and the "cajones" from cedar. The hormigo is imported from Quixal. The marimbas are adorned with figures carved in the wood. In the factory they also make the heads of the sticks used to play the marimba from cows intestines.
Carpintería
San Cristóbal has many excellent carpinters. This is an art which in many cases has been passed on from generacion to generacion. Some of the products which are most often made include furniture for the living room, bedroom and dining room. Doors and window frames are also made.
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Wax
Candles
In San Cristóbal there are various wax works in which they make candles.
The process to make the candles is as follows:
Melt the parafin / Se derrite la parafina.
On an iron circle evenly hang the wicks of the 40 candels in the bath of parafin, rotating the iron cirlce.
More or less it takes about 20 rotations to give a normal thickness to the candels.
The candles and veladoras are especially used in religious ceremonies.
Each colour has a special significance.
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Reeds
Bed Rolls
This is a craft using the reeds from lake Chichoj. The manufacturing process is as follows:
The stem of the reed is split in half so the it can be flatted.
It is then squashed with a stone and dried.
Bed rolls can be made in all sizes and used to sleep or sit on.
The bed rolls can be done of all sizes and are used to sleep or to sit on.
The manufacture of bed rolls is a familiar tradition and Pokomchí that is being lost because it is not profitable work.
This practise is giving a sustainable use to the reeds of the lake making its conservation more important and interesting.
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Leather
Leather Workshops
In San Cristóbal there are a number of talabarterías where they make all types of leather product. The most common products are boots, wallets, belts, shoes, cases for glasses and knives, bags for woman, etc. Everything is handmade. These products are almost all made to order. The leather used is brought from the capital every week. Occasionally aligator skin from El Estor is used. These products are of very good quality.
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Hilo
Bedspread :: Bordado :: Brazaletes
Bedspread
Bedspreads are made from thread of cotton or wool. A foot loom is used to design the bedspreads. The threads that are used are of very bright coloures and typical for this type of product. Each bedspread uses 2200 threads.
Embroidery
In the Municipality of San Cristóbal, women wear hand embroided güipiles (blouses) typically with designs such as flowers, plants and abstract figures. The women prepare them for their own use, but also to sell, normally costing between Q400 - Q600. A plain güipil will be purchased and then embroided by the craftslady. It takes roughly one month to embroid a single garment.
Bracelets
Typical bracelets are made of varios colors, designs and styles. Normally these are only made to order. To make a bracelet usually takes 30 minutes.
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Artists
Painting :: Ceramics :: Embossing :: Harp and Marimba Music
Painting
In San Cristóbal there are a number of talented artists, some are know at a national level.
The work of the artists varies from topic of local intertest through to abstract painting and sculpture.
Ceramics
Ceramics are made in many different styles, but the most common include, dinners services, cups, plates, vases, etc.
Embossing
Craftsmen in the town carry out the embossing of silver to create designs such as flowers, faces, etc. The embossing can be combined with painting, wood and wood and other products creating adornments to crosses, painting and jewlery boxes, etc.
Harp and Marimba Music
In San Cristobal there are a number of people that play the harp and the marimba. They are the people incharge of maintaining the traditional life of their ancestors.... bollocks!!
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Pokomchi Literature
Some organisations in the town work to produce written material in Pokomchi that help maintain the culture and tradition Pokomchi.
There have been "esfuerzos" in this area, and here we have put together a list of know titles upto the date of publication of the website. We hope to continue adding to this list over time with the aim to make it definative - Bibliography
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Café
The coffee producing communities of San Cristóbal y Tamahú, A.V. are located in their majority, with altitudes over the 1.250 above sea level (asl (75%), being less representative the areas with 1.000 altitudes of above sea level (asl) (25%). In addition, the natural climatic conditions of the zone, guarantee the type of coffee that is classified as Strictly Hard Beans (SHB), therefore this coffee has future handling qualities, because the demand of these special coffees is stable and good.
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