Collection: Braided Palm Art

The palm leaf is cut tender in the Tlamacazapa region in Taxco de Alarcón, Guerrero. Both men and women go out at five in the morning to find these trees, only they know how to cut the leaves properly so that the plant is not damaged and continues to grow. The leaves to produce each braided piece take around 10-days to be processed. Once they are cut, they are torn into strips and cooked in hot water, washed and dried in the sun for several days on both sides, just enough time so they turn white but not so much because they could get stained. Once the leaf is white, it goes back to boiling water to add the desire color to it.  The paint used to dye the palm is aniline, but it can also be painted with natural colors such as coffee, jamaica flowers, and other plants. The palm leaf has to be wet while weaving it, otherwise it bursts and the knots break.

In the past, the women of this community made items for their daily use such as baskets, mats, rugs, hats and roofs to protect their homes from the sun and rain. Currently, they make other type of items to support the economy of their families; from bags, purses and lamps to cell phone and lap top cases. It is undeniable that the imagination and creativity of the artisans of the palm leaf flies freely and guides their hands to continue braiding beautiful creations to delight the eyes of those who admire them.