5 TYPICAL CRAFTS OF BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The typical crafts of Baja California Sur reflect the culture and tradition of the state. The artisans use their hands to express the identity and sensitivity of the people in clay, leather, shell and palm.

The artisan production supports many of the natives of the place. An example of this is the community of El Triunfo, renowned for its artisan production of torote fiber. The town of Miraflores also stands out for its leather work.

Abalone shell, raw material for crafts

In the coastal areas of Baja California Sur, artisan work is done with seashells and many hand-woven garments are made.

You may also be interested in the history of Baja California Sur or its culture.

The 5 typical crafts of Baja California Sur

1- Craft with abalone shell

This mollusk economically represents a great source of income, not only for its valuable meat but also for its use in crafts.

Comondú is one of the municipalities where an entire high-quality artisan industry has developed.

They are made from chess boards and decorative figures to mirror frames and combs.

2- Crafts with torote

The towns of El Triunfo and Sierra de los Dolores are widely recognized for their products made with torote fiber and tender palm leaves.

Baskets and baskets are mainly made with torote fiber. The basket is assembled by sewing the wet fiber in a spiral shape, and at the same time interlacing the strips.

This process continues until the desired size and shape is achieved. The baskets are woven so tightly that when wet they expand and become waterproof, so they can hold water.

3- Leather crafts

In this area, the community of Miraflores, in the Sierra region, stands out for its quality in the manufacture of portfolios, saddles, pistol holsters, handbags, boots and embossing work.

Dry leather is also worked, to transform it into strips and make sleeping cots, ropes, ropes, riatas and different traditional products.

4- Wood crafts

Baja California Sur offers a wide range of woods that can be made from home furnishings to ashtrays and salt shakers.

The most used wood is choya. There are others such as cardón, pitahaya, ironwood, Chinese stick, parota, bow stick and mesquite roots.

5- Craft knives

San Pedro de La Presa is the community where the best knives, machetes and artisan daggers in the state are made.

The artisans have developed a whole process to melt the metal over hot coals, and then hit it with special tools to give it the desired shape and with the sharpest edge.

They are also responsible for making the handle of the knife in a traditional way, using black PVC for this purpose or making use of horns, wood or bone of different types, in order to obtain a colorful handle.

There are several centers designed to promote popular art in the town, such as the House of Handicrafts, the House of the South Californian Artisan or the alley of artisans.

References

1. Baja California. Taken from nationsencyclopedia.com
2. Crafts from Baja California Sur. Taken from programadestinosmexico.com
3. Baja California Sur Tourism Secretariat. Taken from secturbcs.gob.mx
4. 10 traditions and customs of Baja California Sur (Mexico). Taken from lifepersona.com
5. Crafts, traditions and customs in Baja California Sur. Taken from vmexicoalmaximo.com
6. Cultural information system. Panoramic of popular art. Taken from sic.gob.mx