Oaxacan Animals:
Valley of Oaxaca:
How Are They Made?
• The animals are carved from the Copal tree
with pocket knives, kitchen knives and
machetes.
• Once the piece is carved it needs to sit to dry
for several days.
• Once carved and sanded, the animal can be
decorated with cactus spines for teeth, or goat
hair for a zebra’s mane.
• They are then treated for insects and painted
with bright and vibrant colors and designs.
Who Made Them?
• Mostly poor Mexican peoples in and around
the City and valley of Oaxaca.
• They have been carving for thousands of
years.
• They do it to support their families. People will
buy their sculptures, especially American
tourists.
• They also carve animals for fun and to carry
on the tradition.
Oaxacan Animal Woodcarvings:
Cantaloupe
Tree Frog
Gazelle
Watch This!
• http://www.crizmac.com
Images:
• http://www.tulleeho.com/cb/imgs/map.jpg
• http://www.amexico.biz/images/DragonAlebrijeW-Eagle36x26x23BFW.bmp
• http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6RQgdGEN_Cs/TNSI4Bjn1KI/AAAAAAAAAJY/Eb
M2Nlcs8f8/s320/oaxacan8.jpg
• http://www.asianartmall.com/Merchant2/19794.jpg
• http://www.zanzibartrading.com/images_g-o/oaxacanantelope.jpg
• http://www.oaxacanwoodcarving.com/art5/050706mdrllplyasblkornge.gif
• http://www.nhusd.k12.ca.us/ALVE/wow/PAWS/oaxacan/oaxacanintro.htm
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