Fibers and designs used in the production of amate paper in San Pablito, Pahuatlán, Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

Amate paper has been produced since pre-Hispanic times in various localities in Mesoamerica. From the 60s onwards, it has been. one of the best-selling crafts in Mexico, and some of the best-known artisans are the ñahñus of the community of San Pablito, Municipality of Pahuatlán in the Sierra Norte de Puebla. Much of the appeal of this craft comes from the unrefined character of the raw material, which is hand beaten pulp created from the secondary phloem of various species of tropical trees. Based on a bibliographic review, semi-structured interviews, and field observation, we documented the diversity of species that have been used to make amate paper and knowledge about these species by artisans from San Pablito, as well as amate paper making techniques and innovation in designs, from its emergence of the craft to the present day. The results indicate that historically 16 species have been used to make amate paper; currently, a pioneering tropical tree known in the Sierra Norte de Puebla as 'jonote' (Trema micrantha (L.) Blume) is the species most used. Regarding the artisans´ knowledge about the plant species used, of the 16 documented for the manufacture of amate paper, currently artisans know 12 species, four of which are only known by 1% of the interviewees. On the other hand, the diversity of designs has remained high, as creativity flourishes in the production of amate paper as a craft.  In the last ten years the community has been energized by imagination and a sense of entrepreneurship, mainly by the young ñahñus. This work contributes to the study of traditional wisdom and practices and the ways in which they are transformed over time. In particular it contributes to understand the production processes of handicrafts in communities where during the last decades this activity has elaborated as it has become the main source of their income and maintenance.