POTTERY - AN ANCIENT CRAFT

Deep in the lands of the San Agustin-Acasaguaslan municipality, El Progreso, lies the community of Llano de Jesús, a place where the craft of pottery has been passed down through generations, becoming the primary livelihood for many families. However, this noble art faces the challenge of finding markets and means to showcase their work. Today, we visit Dona Sonia, who, at 62 years of age and with experience dating back to when she was just 13, continues shaping clay and confronting life with resilience. Creating a comal, a traditional piece in Guatemalan kitchens, begins long before the clay touches the artisan's hands. On the banks of the Jato River, ground cascagan, a crucial material for strengthening the comal, is collected, while black clay from nearby villages such as Puerta de Gulp, Chanreo, and Los Cimientos provides flexibility and durability. Both materials are carefully mixed with water, forming a kind of mud that becomes the base for the comal. Dona Sonia begins the process by spreading the mixture into a large mold, sprinkling cascagan powder to prevent it from sticking and cracking. Skillfully, she kneads the mixture, shaping the base of the comal. Her hands, marked by years of work, create the comal's edge with care. Did you know that pottery is one of the oldest techniques known to humanity? In Mesoamerica, the art of shaping clay has been present for over 3,000 years. In communities like Llano de Jesus, it's not only an ancestral craft, but also a way to preserve cultural identity and pass down knowledge from generation to generation. And with a touch of water, she begins perfecting the details, shaping the piece until it reaches the desired form. As the head of her household, she has managed to raise her four children through her hard work in Each step is crucial to ensure the comal is durable and can withstand high temperatures. Once shaped, the comal is left to dry in the sun, a process that can take several days depending on the weather. During this time, the cascagan and clay fulfill their roles. Cascagan gives hardness and strength, while the clay ensures the comal's integrity and capacity to withstand temperature changes. Some artisans also opt to bake their comales in special ovens to speed up the process. When the comal is completely dry, final touches are made, scraping off any remaining imperfections. Finally, the curing process is performed using boiling water and lime. This ensures the comal is safe for cooking and leaves no traces of the materials used. Thus, a tradition that has survived for centuries remains alive in the hands of Dona Sonia and many other artisans in Llano de Jesus. It's a craft that not only shapes clay, but also shapes lives and communities. Although challenges persist in selling and marketing their work, the effort and dedication of people like Dona Sonia continue to testify to the resilience and value of pottery in these lands.