Copal_wood Alebrije

an alebrije being carved copal wood in arrazola.

almost alebrije carvers in oaxaca use wood of trees genus bursera (family burseraceae), preference species b. glabrifolia, locally called copal or copalillo. tree typically found in dry tropical forests in oaxaca , neighboring states. exceptions isidro cruz of tilcajete, uses “zompantle” (erythrina coralloides) , manuel jimenez family, carves in tropical cedar (cedrella odorata) imported guatemala.

originally, carvers obtained wood local forests on own. copal trees short , squat , not yield wood; every piece used. despite this, success of woodcarving caused unsustainable drain on local wild copal, , of trees near tilcajete , arrazola have disappeared. localized depletion gave rise copal wood market in oaxaca, though many of copal trees in other parts of different subspecies, has more knots. obtaining wood complex exercise because negotiating other municipalities requires navigating complex social, legal , economic norms, , in many cases, state , federal environmental authorities have stepped in try preserve wild copal trees in number of areas. communities have refused sell wood. these difficulties has led black market in copal wood, carvers purchasing of supplies venders called “copaleros.” harvesting copalillo not complex task; trees relatively small , wood soft. trees felled using axe or chainsaw. branches cut machetes. harvesting occurs on ejidal (communal) lands. legal or not, purchase of copal wood other parts of oaxaca putting unsustainable pressure on wild populations in wider area, forcing copaleros go further obtain wood , deal angry locals , police alternately seek bribes , enforce law. eventually, led 6 copaleros control of wood being sold, , these supplies being unreliable. federal government states of figures made illegally obtained wood.

securing supplies of copal wood major concern woodcarvers. despite fact cost of wood not particularly high, despite effort, main issue reliability. issue carvers quality. artisans pay more wood if sure can pass added cost onto customers. number of attempts grow trees woodcarving purpose have been undertaken. copal native tree species area, grows readily without care. takes anywhere 5 ten years tree grow big enough harvested (branches or entire tree). of efforts include reforestation efforts sponsored groups such rodolfo morales foundation in ocotlan, , number of families spend time planting trees during rainy season. have begun copal plantations. however, current needs wood far outweigh these efforts have been able produce.

another effort involves program designed manage wild copal supplies in municipality called san juan bautista jayacatlán. arrangement has economic advantages both alebrije-makers , owners of forests wood produced. has not been developed sufficiently yet affect illegal harvest of wood, organizers hope in time, become more economical , preferred method. difference between program , others works within broader ethnobotanical context promoting management of species within native habitat. jayacatlán located next established biosphere reserve of tehhuacán-cuicatlán. benefit jayacatlán give municipality way exploit copal supplies , preserve biodiversity @ same time. benefit carvers promote reliable source of wood, trademark called “ecoalebrijes” them sell more alebrijes @ higher price. however, wood jayacatlan sold arrazola , not other major center of tilcajete. enthusiasm of arrazola’s woodcarvers stems more having supply of wood notions of ecology.