Summary of Black Mud (Black Mud) of San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca popular decorative art form development
The plastic revolution 1960's had a profound impact in the southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Throughout the decade, a dramatic change occurred in the means of production employed by a segment of the indigenous Zapotec: a production based industry rudimentary gray, functional ceramic art became popular today known as black mud, or black Oaxacan pottery. As a result, tourism flourished in Oaxaca.
Until the 1960's all but one family in the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec, a few miles from the state capital of Oaxaca, were producing utilitarian clay pots the sale and trade throughout the region and even further … like their ancestors had been doing for a thousand years or more. In fact, the archaeological record found in the excavations at Monte Alban establishes the will.
The History of Black Mud (mud black) in Oaxaca
The most common form of pottery in the area, known as the pitcher, was used to transport and store water, milk, mezcal, and other liquids, for generations. Then in the 1950's, a humble woman named Dona Rosa Real affable, with her husband Juventino Nieto, accidentally developed an innovation to its appearance and functionality, if the pot before the fire, rubbed with a piece of clear quartz, and then baked for only eight or nine hours instead of the traditional 13 hours or 14, the result is a shiny, black pitcher, purely decorative and unable to keep fluids down no discoloration and filtration.
Between 1950 and early 1960, everyone else in the village continued to produce its gray ceramic functional, while Dona Rosa and her family worked away with what is known as Black Mud (black mud). She developed a track foreigners that collection of Latin American folk art, the likes of Nelson Rockefeller.
The impact of plastic in the production of ceramic San Bartolo Coyotepec
At the same time, as Dustin Hoffman's character in The Graduate was being hailed the importance of "plastics" the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec were beginning to feel the adverse economic impact of bowls and plastic bottles it. These new containers are resistant colorful breaks and cheap. The market fell pitcher of traditional industry. De Dona Rosa's family prospered, because at the same time, tourism is growing due to:
- more two-income families
- credit cards that are sent to Bar Mitzvah, even children as it is easier to fly now and pay later
- hotels, travel agencies and Mexicana Airlines have created a new concept in travel to Mexico, vacation package
- system improvements of the new Pan American Highway that allows travelers to more easily reach Oaxaca, and
- noting the hippie movement in southern Mexico as a result of newfound notoriety as the capital of Oaxaca hallucinogenic mushroom in the world.
With the above changes in the world Western more travelers began to travel to Oaxaca and visit San Bartolo Coyotepec. The Black Pottery market, increasing considerably. Virtually every potter in the village began to polish their pieces of quartz, and removing them from the oven "prematurely" by economic necessity and a tourist market expanding.
Increased tourism means that even with the other villagers to copy the technique of Dona Rosa, the economic situation of their family were not significantly adversely affected. By contrast, some 30 years after the death of Dona Rosa, his family still has a market share healthy tourist dollars spent in black mud.
Black Ceramic San Bartolo Coyotepec, and the family of Doña Rosa in the Modern Age
But not a single piece of gray, functional pottery is produced in San Bartolo Coyotepec, although still a very small niche market. Many artisans in the village do Barro black demonstrations. Some craftsmen, such Pedro Martinez as Charlemagne and his family have elevated the art form to new heights.
Until his death in May 2010 on a daily basis Don Valente son of Dona Rosa and Don Juventino is tell the fascinating story of his parents and innovation, while working his magic not a power wheelchair, or even a pedal standing, but rather only two clay plates, clay kneaded with butter, the most rudimentary tools – river cane and pumpkin pieces, one piece bull's hide – and the most skilled hands.
Today, three of the grandchildren of Doña Rosa, Jorge, and Fernando Javier, Rocio and her sister in law maintain the family tradition, telling the story of her grandmother.
In fact it is no wonder that the walls of the workshop and gallery are adorned with photos of Dona Rosa, with Rockefeller, and Don Valente alongside artists such as Jimmy Carter, a wide variety of entertainment in Mexico stars in the industry, politicians prominent, including governors and presidents, and yes, even the Pope.
About the Author
Alvin Starkman is a resident of Oaxaca, and together with wife Arlene operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast, a unique b & b experience just outside downtown Oaxaca (http://www.oaxacadream.com). Alvin has written over 200 articles about life and culture in Oaxaca, consults for documentary production companies filming in Oaxaca, takes couples and families to visit the sights in Oaxaca’s central valleys, and assists groups interested in learning about the food and drink of Oaxaca through organizing Oaxaca culinary tours (http://www.oaxacaculinarytours.com).
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