CRAFTS
Mexican crafts are sophisticated art. Fashioned
from clay, woven thread, wood and reed, these objects express
the natural world where they were fashioned. From the wooden
figures (alebrijes) and wool rugs of Oaxaca to the clay pots
of Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua.
TOYS
Handmade toys are some of Mexico's most beloved
crafts.
Trompos, baleros, canicas, yo-yos, rag dolls,
pinatas
matracas, sonajas, silbatos, fautas, ocarinas
caballitos mecedores y aviones de madera, caballitos de carton
para jalar
con rueditas, DF
coches de lámina, soldaditos de plomo
atrapa novios de paja, en Xochimilco
miniaturas en Puebla cocinas, muebles, ahora se usan como pequeñas
vitrinas
"jugueteros", se venden como juguetes para adultos
Miniaturas tambien hechas con fibras,
Animalitos de barro en Amatenango, altos de Chiapas
las peponas de Celaya Guanajuato, carton aglutinado y policromado,
muñecas de trapo en el Parian en Puebla,
figuras con hojas de maíz, las mulitas
guajes laqueados en colores en forma de helicopteros, carruseles,
Alcancias de barro en loas ferias
KITES - Kites (Papalotes). Butterfly
('mariposa') in the Náhuatl
language of the Aztecs,
. February/March. Made with papel china
GLOBOS - Cantoya, Oaxaca
MARIONETES - Marionettes (titeres)
are sold in front of the tourst hotels
LOTERIA - Mexican loteria is
a version of 'Bingo' in which the colorful playing cards have
images of traditional figures such as 'El Catrin' (The Gentleman)
and figures that are a bit darker in color such as 'El Borracho'
(The Drunk) and 'La Calavera' (The Skeleton). When a specific
image is drawn, the name is shouted outloud and players mark
their cards with beans (frijolitos).
Another popular game: Serpientes y Escaleras (Snakes
and Ladders)
Do these traditional toys still play a
role in modern Mexican culture or have they fallen out of favor?
Traditional Mexican toys have a special role in
Mexico. Part is the respect of simpler times and simpler toys.
We also see the incorporation of toys in contemporary art, including
jewelry and paintings.
Are Mexican toys an authentic piece of Mexican culture?
Like most folk art, Mexican toys document an authentic
slide of local culture. Many of the toys are created specifically
for fairs and fiestas or for specific Saint's Days. Much of
the adult folk art -- the elaborate wooden figures (alebrijes)
-- are derived from children's toys.
Is there anywhere in particular the handicraft is especially
thriving, or not so much?
TOY TOUR
DF - The Museo
de Arte Popular has an exhibit focusing on Mexican toys
on the second floor.
CHIAPAS - Little animals (animalitos) and toy
Zapatistas
MICHOACAN - Wooden toys and children's guitars
and violins
OAXACA SHOPPING TRIP: TOYS FOR KIDS
Maromeros, Matracas, El
Arte Oaxaqueño
Telabrijes, Blackbox
Child-sized chairs, painted alebrije-style, Plaza
Comercial de las Etnias
Traditional Mexican toys, El
Raton Vaquero
Kites, Oaxacan
Graphic Arts Institute (IAGO)
Pinatas, Mercado
de Artesanias
ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB
Fonart
Museo de Arte Popular (Mexico
City)
Museo
del Juguete Antiguo (Mexico City)
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