South of the Mantaro valley, the widest and one of the greatest agricultural producers of Peru, descending from the majestic mountain range of the Andes is the city of Huancayo. Its climate is mild and dry throughout the year and is a very important agricultural, mineral and craft producer. Huancayo is also a well-known commercial center and a fair promoter since ancestral times.
The city of Huancayo is the capital of the Province of the same name in the region of Junin. Huancayo is one of the most important cities of the Peruvian Andes. Within its boundaries important historical events occurred which influenced the history of Peru, like the abolition of the slavery and the indigenous tribute in 1854.
Huancayo is also known worldwide for the artisan’s fair which takes place each Sunday in its streets. In additional, Huancayo has many tourist places such as the Plaza Huamanmarca (founded in 1572); Plaza Cadiz founded in 1812 (to honor the constitution of Cadiz); the Chapel of La Merced; the Park of the Wanka identity, etc.
The word “Huancayo” derives from the words “Huanca” which means stone, and “Yoc” which means “the one that has it”; consequently the term Huancayo would mean “the place of the stone” or “Where the stone is”.
Cochas Chico (Small Cochas), is a town located 18 kilometers from the city of Huancayo, where the artisans produce beautiful works in pumpkins or dry gourds, using techniques transferred from one generation to another since ancestral times. These works of art are the well-known Carved Gourds or “Mates Burilados”, which the artisans use to illustrate traditional stories and Peruvian themes.
The lagenaria is the fruit of a plant which scientific name is “Lagenaria Vulgaris”, known for being family of the squash, that when it grows in a dry and very warm climate, it develops a very hard and consistent rind similar to wood. This fruit is called in different ways, according to the place where it is gathered: Pumpkin, “Coco of Marañon”, Gourd or “Tutuma”.
The carved technique involves etching fine lines, with a tool honed with a v point called “buril,” into the gourd, creating a series of drawings that generally represent active scenes of Andean life. Next the burned technique follows to establish the contrasts between the carved figures and the gourd. The brown and black colors are obtained with a heated tool made from the quinual tree. The color depends on the distance from the gourd at which the tool is held, and the amount of time the gourd is exposed to the heat. Nothing is painted; the colors come from the heat. This meticulous work can last days in being culminated. The beginners that are generally the children of the artisans, must first draw up with pencil in the gourd before they start to carved.
In the year 1946, they were found in an archeological site called “Huaca Prieta”, in the North coast of Peru, a dozen of carved gourds, which probably were made 3500 years ago. This discovery showed the artistic skills that the people of this time had, and that continues today with the impressive “Mates Burilados”, art that is inherited from their ancestors, and each generation improves it.
Due to they are elaborated in a familiar environment, this allows not only to transfer the technique but also the histories that the old people share with the family, histories that then will be carved in the gourds, once this technique is acquired. Gourds are often the only source of income to these artisans; therefore carving becomes the focal point for the entire family.
The themes of this beautiful and dedicated art are varied. The most common are: local histories and experiences of the artisans, Andean and Amazonian landscapes, animal’s representation, utensils and musical instruments. The most detailed variation is the one with miniature drawings, which can only be appreciated with a magnifying glass.
