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Oaxaca handcrafts and folk art is one of Mexico’s important regional traditions of its kind, distinguished by both its overall quality and variety. Producing goods for trade has been an important economic activity in the state, especially in the Central Valleys region since the pre Hispanic era which the area laid on the trade route between central Mexico and Central America. In the colonial period, the Spanish introduced new raw materials, new techniques and products but the rise of industrially produced products lowered the demand for most handcrafts by the early 20th century. The introduction of highways in the middle part of the century brought tourism to the region and with it a new market for traditional handcrafts. Today, the state boasts the largest number of working artisans in Mexico, producing a wide range of products that continue to grow and evolve to meet changing tastes in the market. Oaxacan handcrafts are also highly specialized by community. Notable wares include the barro negro pottery of San Bartolo Coyotepec, the green glazed and other pottery of Santa María Atzompa, the wool textiles of Teotitlán del Valle and surrounding communities, the mezcal of Tlacolula de Matamoros (and numerous other towns and villages) and a newcomer, colorful animal figures carved from wood made in San Antonio Arrazola and San Martín Tilcajete. Most of the production is in the Central Valleys, but artisans can be found all over the state including the Chinantla area with its huipils, the Tehuantepec area with its traditional clothing and jewelry made of gold coins and palm frond woven goods from the Mixtec area of the state. ==Status and distinguishing characteristics== The state of Oaxaca is one of the main and best-known producers of handcrafts (which includes certain kinds of processed foods) in Mexico. Its long tradition of production since the pre Hispanic period along with an abundance of raw materials has allowed this tradition to stand out both in quality and the variety. The most successful products are ceramics and textiles, followed by those made from wood and leather.〔 Other production includes wood carving, metal work, embroidery, leatherwork, fireworks, papel picado, stone work, furniture and more.〔〔 One distinguishing feature of Oaxaca handcrafts is specialization of production by community, which began in the pre Hispanic period supported by a complex web of regional markets.〔 This tradition is maintained because of the state’s mountainous terrain and poverty, which has inhibited the development of transportation infrastructure allowing communities to remain relatively autonomous and fractured politically and socially.〔 This tradition is one of the strongest in Mexico,〔 and the state has the highest number of artisans with 58,398 in 2012. The regional market system also remains in place to make handcrafts widely available in the state, especially in the Central Valleys region.〔 The strongest indigenous influences on Oaxacan handcrafts are Zapotec and Mixtec. Local materials also have an effect on what is produced. In San Bartolo Coyotepec, the local clay turns a deep shiny black if the piece is burnished before firing. Traditional dyes for textiles include those made from the cochineal insect, which produces various shades of red and a marine snail found on the state’s coastline for purple. Traditional fibers include cotton (brown and white), wool and maguey.〔 Production techniques are largely unchanged since the pre Hispanic and colonial periods, made in family workshops, with labor often divided by sex, age and social status.〔 A number of artisans and artisan families have gained reputation for fine products and the fine pieces can be found in museums in many parts of the world.〔 There is also innovation in the handcraft markets with artisans adapting designs to suit new markets and even the creation of new items, such as alebrijes .〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Oaxaca handcrafts and folk art」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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