Tonaltepec
lies in the hills of western Oaxaca, land that once hosted the powerful and
artistic Mixtec city states. Eroded white hills and dry arroyos are the
inheritance of this land, too long grazed and cultivated. Today, in Tonaltepec,
folks make do with the wheat that can be teased from the soil and the bit
of wool sheared from their flocks of sheep. Several families add to their
fortunes by carrying on the pottery trade
The unusual, long, two-handled jugs of Tonaltepec were designed long ago
for a specific purpose. They are strapped to the sides of burros and used
to haul water from the creeks located, inconveniently, in the valley far
below. The sharp taper at the top and the narrow mouth insure that a minimum
of water will slop out during the trip back up the hill. The unique, wild
finishing touch given to the pottery of Tonaltepec happens as the fired pots
are pulled from the stone kiln and quickly splattered with an oak bark extract.
The best reason we've heard for this finish is, "that's how my mother did
it."
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Copyright
© 1995-2001 Tony and Eric Mindling
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