The carving of handmade objects is an ancestral tradition in San Antero, where Totumo and Calabazo are the most emblematic crafts of the municipality. These pieces are made with mastery and dedication, showing the skill of local artisans.
In the beginning, these crafts were made using the natural color of the material, highlighting the beauty and texture of totumo and gourd. However, with the passage of time and the evolution of carving techniques, the application of epoxy pigments or resins began to be incorporated, which give the pieces vibrant and striking colors, typical of Caribbean culture, such as fuchsia. , lemon green and yellow.
Among the most common objects that are made with these materials are table decorations, earrings, pots, and utensils and kitchenware for meals. These products are obtained by cutting the totumo in half or into smaller pieces, using tools such as hacksaws or saws. Then, engravings and carvings are made with chisels or burins, and sometimes a small manual lathe is used to help in the process.
Each hand-carved piece is unique and represents the cultural and artistic legacy of San Antero. These handicrafts are appreciated both for their aesthetic beauty and for the care and dedication with which they are made. Acquiring a piece of gourd or gourd carving is taking with you a piece of the rich craft tradition of the region, which has endured over the years and is passed down from generation to generation.
