wood carving

Wood CarvingThe Tainos, the first settlers of the island «Hispaniola», today the Dominican Republic and Haiti, were magnificent wood carvers, both for their utilitarian use, as well as for ceremonial artifacts.

The island had important timber forests, notably Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Guayacan (Lignum vitae), Oak (Catalpa longissima), Pine (Pinus occidentalis), Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and others.  Mahogany is one of the most used woods for the manufacture of handicrafts and furniture with its dark red colors.

As with the «guayacán» (Lignum vitae), mahogany was used in the keels of sailing ships because of its greater nautical stability, providing more ballast in the keels than other types of wood. Guayacán» carvings are in high demand in the tourist market with designs inspired by Taino artefacts and handicrafts from Bali, Indonesia, often offered in gift shops as being of national manufacture as with other imported handicrafts, and recently there has been a large demand for small «guayacán» spoons made to sweeten coffee. Pine, and «almacigo» (Bursera simarouba) are used for the manufacture of carvings of roosters, parrots, and fish, which were awarded UNESCO Seals of Excellence, along with the «Santos de Palo de Bonao», and the «Mariposas de Jícara de Coco de Moca» (2006).

During the Colonial period, stick saints were made in the Catholic tradition and were rescued in 2003 by a group of young artisans from the city of Bonao.

Also in the community of Miches, in the province of El Seibo, there are several workshops that make wooden saints, assisted by the Cayuco Cultural Center. In Boquerón, Azua, there are 15 to 25 workshops manufacturing «pilones» (majadores) made with electric lathes and with wood from Baitoa, (Phyllostylon brasiliensis) Bayahonda, (Bursera Simarouba) and «Guayacán».

The «bateas» of fig wood (Ficus carica) date back to pre-Columbian cultures and were used for the extraction of gold from rivers and for washing clothes in rural areas.

Wood CarvingThe Tainos, the first settlers of the island «Hispaniola», today the Dominican Republic and Haiti, were magnificent wood carvers, both for their utilitarian use, as well as for ceremonial artifacts.

The island had important timber forests, notably Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Guayacan (Lignum vitae), Oak (Catalpa longissima), Pine (Pinus occidentalis), Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and others.  Mahogany is one of the most used woods for the manufacture of handicrafts and furniture with its dark red colors.

As with the «guayacán» (Lignum vitae), mahogany was used in the keels of sailing ships because of its greater nautical stability, providing more ballast in the keels than other types of wood. Guayacán» carvings are in high demand in the tourist market with designs inspired by Taino artefacts and handicrafts from Bali, Indonesia, often offered in gift shops as being of national manufacture as with other imported handicrafts, and recently there has been a large demand for small «guayacán» spoons made to sweeten coffee. Pine, and «almacigo» (Bursera simarouba) are used for the manufacture of carvings of roosters, parrots, and fish, which were awarded UNESCO Seals of Excellence, along with the «Santos de Palo de Bonao», and the «Mariposas de Jícara de Coco de Moca» (2006).

During the Colonial period, stick saints were made in the Catholic tradition and were rescued in 2003 by a group of young artisans from the city of Bonao.

Also in the community of Miches, in the province of El Seibo, there are several workshops that make wooden saints, assisted by the Cayuco Cultural Center. In Boquerón, Azua, there are 15 to 25 workshops manufacturing «pilones» (majadores) made with electric lathes and with wood from Baitoa, (Phyllostylon brasiliensis) Bayahonda, (Bursera Simarouba) and «Guayacán».

The «bateas» of fig wood (Ficus carica) date back to pre-Columbian cultures and were used for the extraction of gold from rivers and for washing clothes in rural areas.

Wood CarvingThe Tainos, the first settlers of the island «Hispaniola», today the Dominican Republic and Haiti, were magnificent wood carvers, both for their utilitarian use, as well as for ceremonial artifacts.

The island had important timber forests, notably Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Guayacan (Lignum vitae), Oak (Catalpa longissima), Pine (Pinus occidentalis), Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and others.  Mahogany is one of the most used woods for the manufacture of handicrafts and furniture with its dark red colors.

As with the «guayacán» (Lignum vitae), mahogany was used in the keels of sailing ships because of its greater nautical stability, providing more ballast in the keels than other types of wood. Guayacán» carvings are in high demand in the tourist market with designs inspired by Taino artefacts and handicrafts from Bali, Indonesia, often offered in gift shops as being of national manufacture as with other imported handicrafts, and recently there has been a large demand for small «guayacán» spoons made to sweeten coffee. Pine, and «almacigo» (Bursera simarouba) are used for the manufacture of carvings of roosters, parrots, and fish, which were awarded UNESCO Seals of Excellence, along with the «Santos de Palo de Bonao», and the «Mariposas de Jícara de Coco de Moca» (2006).

During the Colonial period, stick saints were made in the Catholic tradition and were rescued in 2003 by a group of young artisans from the city of Bonao.

Also in the community of Miches, in the province of El Seibo, there are several workshops that make wooden saints, assisted by the Cayuco Cultural Center. In Boquerón, Azua, there are 15 to 25 workshops manufacturing «pilones» (majadores) made with electric lathes and with wood from Baitoa, (Phyllostylon brasiliensis) Bayahonda, (Bursera Simarouba) and «Guayacán».

The «bateas» of fig wood (Ficus carica) date back to pre-Columbian cultures and were used for the extraction of gold from rivers and for washing clothes in rural areas.

Wood CarvingThe Tainos, the first settlers of the island «Hispaniola», today the Dominican Republic and Haiti, were magnificent wood carvers, both for their utilitarian use, as well as for ceremonial artifacts.

The island had important timber forests, notably Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Guayacan (Lignum vitae), Oak (Catalpa longissima), Pine (Pinus occidentalis), Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and others.  Mahogany is one of the most used woods for the manufacture of handicrafts and furniture with its dark red colors.

As with the «guayacán» (Lignum vitae), mahogany was used in the keels of sailing ships because of its greater nautical stability, providing more ballast in the keels than other types of wood. Guayacán» carvings are in high demand in the tourist market with designs inspired by Taino artefacts and handicrafts from Bali, Indonesia, often offered in gift shops as being of national manufacture as with other imported handicrafts, and recently there has been a large demand for small «guayacán» spoons made to sweeten coffee. Pine, and «almacigo» (Bursera simarouba) are used for the manufacture of carvings of roosters, parrots, and fish, which were awarded UNESCO Seals of Excellence, along with the «Santos de Palo de Bonao», and the «Mariposas de Jícara de Coco de Moca» (2006).

During the Colonial period, stick saints were made in the Catholic tradition and were rescued in 2003 by a group of young artisans from the city of Bonao.

Also in the community of Miches, in the province of El Seibo, there are several workshops that make wooden saints, assisted by the Cayuco Cultural Center. In Boquerón, Azua, there are 15 to 25 workshops manufacturing «pilones» (majadores) made with electric lathes and with wood from Baitoa, (Phyllostylon brasiliensis) Bayahonda, (Bursera Simarouba) and «Guayacán».

The «bateas» of fig wood (Ficus carica) date back to pre-Columbian cultures and were used for the extraction of gold from rivers and for washing clothes in rural areas.

Wood CarvingThe Tainos, the first settlers of the island «Hispaniola», today the Dominican Republic and Haiti, were magnificent wood carvers, both for their utilitarian use, as well as for ceremonial artifacts.

The island had important timber forests, notably Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Guayacan (Lignum vitae), Oak (Catalpa longissima), Pine (Pinus occidentalis), Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and others.  Mahogany is one of the most used woods for the manufacture of handicrafts and furniture with its dark red colors.

As with the «guayacán» (Lignum vitae), mahogany was used in the keels of sailing ships because of its greater nautical stability, providing more ballast in the keels than other types of wood. Guayacán» carvings are in high demand in the tourist market with designs inspired by Taino artefacts and handicrafts from Bali, Indonesia, often offered in gift shops as being of national manufacture as with other imported handicrafts, and recently there has been a large demand for small «guayacán» spoons made to sweeten coffee. Pine, and «almacigo» (Bursera simarouba) are used for the manufacture of carvings of roosters, parrots, and fish, which were awarded UNESCO Seals of Excellence, along with the «Santos de Palo de Bonao», and the «Mariposas de Jícara de Coco de Moca» (2006).

During the Colonial period, stick saints were made in the Catholic tradition and were rescued in 2003 by a group of young artisans from the city of Bonao.

Also in the community of Miches, in the province of El Seibo, there are several workshops that make wooden saints, assisted by the Cayuco Cultural Center. In Boquerón, Azua, there are 15 to 25 workshops manufacturing «pilones» (majadores) made with electric lathes and with wood from Baitoa, (Phyllostylon brasiliensis) Bayahonda, (Bursera Simarouba) and «Guayacán».

The «bateas» of fig wood (Ficus carica) date back to pre-Columbian cultures and were used for the extraction of gold from rivers and for washing clothes in rural areas.

Wood CarvingThe Tainos, the first settlers of the island «Hispaniola», today the Dominican Republic and Haiti, were magnificent wood carvers, both for their utilitarian use, as well as for ceremonial artifacts.

The island had important timber forests, notably Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Guayacan (Lignum vitae), Oak (Catalpa longissima), Pine (Pinus occidentalis), Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and others.  Mahogany is one of the most used woods for the manufacture of handicrafts and furniture with its dark red colors.

As with the «guayacán» (Lignum vitae), mahogany was used in the keels of sailing ships because of its greater nautical stability, providing more ballast in the keels than other types of wood. Guayacán» carvings are in high demand in the tourist market with designs inspired by Taino artefacts and handicrafts from Bali, Indonesia, often offered in gift shops as being of national manufacture as with other imported handicrafts, and recently there has been a large demand for small «guayacán» spoons made to sweeten coffee. Pine, and «almacigo» (Bursera simarouba) are used for the manufacture of carvings of roosters, parrots, and fish, which were awarded UNESCO Seals of Excellence, along with the «Santos de Palo de Bonao», and the «Mariposas de Jícara de Coco de Moca» (2006).

During the Colonial period, stick saints were made in the Catholic tradition and were rescued in 2003 by a group of young artisans from the city of Bonao.

Also in the community of Miches, in the province of El Seibo, there are several workshops that make wooden saints, assisted by the Cayuco Cultural Center. In Boquerón, Azua, there are 15 to 25 workshops manufacturing «pilones» (majadores) made with electric lathes and with wood from Baitoa, (Phyllostylon brasiliensis) Bayahonda, (Bursera Simarouba) and «Guayacán».

The «bateas» of fig wood (Ficus carica) date back to pre-Columbian cultures and were used for the extraction of gold from rivers and for washing clothes in rural areas.

Wood CarvingThe Tainos, the first settlers of the island «Hispaniola», today the Dominican Republic and Haiti, were magnificent wood carvers, both for their utilitarian use, as well as for ceremonial artifacts.

The island had important timber forests, notably Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Guayacan (Lignum vitae), Oak (Catalpa longissima), Pine (Pinus occidentalis), Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and others.  Mahogany is one of the most used woods for the manufacture of handicrafts and furniture with its dark red colors.

As with the «guayacán» (Lignum vitae), mahogany was used in the keels of sailing ships because of its greater nautical stability, providing more ballast in the keels than other types of wood. Guayacán» carvings are in high demand in the tourist market with designs inspired by Taino artefacts and handicrafts from Bali, Indonesia, often offered in gift shops as being of national manufacture as with other imported handicrafts, and recently there has been a large demand for small «guayacán» spoons made to sweeten coffee. Pine, and «almacigo» (Bursera simarouba) are used for the manufacture of carvings of roosters, parrots, and fish, which were awarded UNESCO Seals of Excellence, along with the «Santos de Palo de Bonao», and the «Mariposas de Jícara de Coco de Moca» (2006).

During the Colonial period, stick saints were made in the Catholic tradition and were rescued in 2003 by a group of young artisans from the city of Bonao.

Also in the community of Miches, in the province of El Seibo, there are several workshops that make wooden saints, assisted by the Cayuco Cultural Center. In Boquerón, Azua, there are 15 to 25 workshops manufacturing «pilones» (majadores) made with electric lathes and with wood from Baitoa, (Phyllostylon brasiliensis) Bayahonda, (Bursera Simarouba) and «Guayacán».

The «bateas» of fig wood (Ficus carica) date back to pre-Columbian cultures and were used for the extraction of gold from rivers and for washing clothes in rural areas.

Wood CarvingThe Tainos, the first settlers of the island «Hispaniola», today the Dominican Republic and Haiti, were magnificent wood carvers, both for their utilitarian use, as well as for ceremonial artifacts.

The island had important timber forests, notably Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Guayacan (Lignum vitae), Oak (Catalpa longissima), Pine (Pinus occidentalis), Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and others.  Mahogany is one of the most used woods for the manufacture of handicrafts and furniture with its dark red colors.

As with the «guayacán» (Lignum vitae), mahogany was used in the keels of sailing ships because of its greater nautical stability, providing more ballast in the keels than other types of wood. Guayacán» carvings are in high demand in the tourist market with designs inspired by Taino artefacts and handicrafts from Bali, Indonesia, often offered in gift shops as being of national manufacture as with other imported handicrafts, and recently there has been a large demand for small «guayacán» spoons made to sweeten coffee. Pine, and «almacigo» (Bursera simarouba) are used for the manufacture of carvings of roosters, parrots, and fish, which were awarded UNESCO Seals of Excellence, along with the «Santos de Palo de Bonao», and the «Mariposas de Jícara de Coco de Moca» (2006).

During the Colonial period, stick saints were made in the Catholic tradition and were rescued in 2003 by a group of young artisans from the city of Bonao.

Also in the community of Miches, in the province of El Seibo, there are several workshops that make wooden saints, assisted by the Cayuco Cultural Center. In Boquerón, Azua, there are 15 to 25 workshops manufacturing «pilones» (majadores) made with electric lathes and with wood from Baitoa, (Phyllostylon brasiliensis) Bayahonda, (Bursera Simarouba) and «Guayacán».

The «bateas» of fig wood (Ficus carica) date back to pre-Columbian cultures and were used for the extraction of gold from rivers and for washing clothes in rural areas.

Wood Carving

The Tainos, the first settlers of the island «Hispaniola», today the Dominican Republic and Haiti, were magnificent wood carvers, both for their utilitarian use, as well as for ceremonial artefacts.

The island had important timber forests, notably Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Guayacan (Lignum vitae), Oak (Catalpa longissima), Pine (Pinus occidentalis), Cedar (Cedrela odorata) and others.  Mahogany is one of the most used woods for the manufacture of handicrafts and furniture with its dark red colours.

As with the «guayacán» (Lignum vitae), mahogany was used in the keels of sailing ships because of its greater nautical stability, providing more ballast in the keels than other types of wood. Guayacán» carvings are in high demand in the tourist market with designs inspired by Taino artefacts and handicrafts from Bali, Indonesia, often offered in gift shops as being of national manufacture as with other imported handicrafts, and recently there has been a large demand for small «guayacán» spoons made to sweeten coffee. Pine, and «almacigo» (Bursera simarouba) are used for the manufacture of carvings of roosters, parrots, and fish, which were awarded UNESCO Seals of Excellence, along with the «Santos de Palo de Bonao», and the «Mariposas de Jícara de Coco de Moca» (2006).

During the Colonial period, stick saints were made in the Catholic tradition and were rescued in 2003 by a group of young artisans from the city of Bonao.

Also in the community of Miches, in the province of El Seibo, there are several workshops that make wooden saints, assisted by the Cayuco Cultural Centre. In Boquerón, Azua, there are 15 to 25 workshops manufacturing «pilones» (majadores) made with electric lathes and with wood from Baitoa, (Phyllostylon brasiliensis) Bayahonda, (Bursera Simarouba) and «Guayacán».

The «bateas» of fig wood (Ficus carica) date back to pre-Columbian cultures and were used for the extraction of gold from rivers and for washing clothes in rural areas.