Woodcarving is another beautyful handcraft made in Yucatan. The most representative town is Tohoku and is a compliment to the economic support of several families, finding their market in the archeological zone of Chichen Itza as for their oun comunity which, however, the main road is far away from this place.

One of the most carved figures is the jaguar, especially the black one which is carved in diverse size and models, as for a head to a whole body

Mr. Evaristo Kantun Mex and his son, Ananias Kantun Can are representatives of this activity in Tohoku. Mir Kantun explains that he learned the craft by observing other artisians in Chichen Itza handling the tools, like the chisel, knife and hammer. The most importants for this activity.

-We don't have a hammer- Mr. Kantun says - We use a stick to hit the chisel which is better for the wood because the weight of the hammer could damage it.

-We work with the "chaca" wood which is one of the best because it has the hardness and consistency. The paint is well fixed and the finishes satisfy the buyers.

-Daily, we can only carve 2 figures and its price is around $70 pesos.

The workshop is in the margin of the highway that passes by the town and connects Tinum with the federal way 180, the reason it registers low afluence.

The artisian explained to us that he likes to sit on a bench near the road to do his carvings and "eventually a toutist pass by the road and buys me a figure".

-the best sells I have is from the merchants who from time to time come to my workshop and ask for some pieces or even so, buys the whole product existent- he says
-There are a few persons who knows about this activity, so it is imperative to teach it to the new generations-
-The income from the sells of the figures helps for a better life quality for the families dependant to the agriculture.

The wood carving in Yucatan comes for the need of living, the need for teaching the culture and raising the interest fot this activity. And so, the mayan culture is known with the carvings of what the mayans thing is relevant like the jaguar, the death and some other aspects of their believes.

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