ARTESANIA LOS BENITOS

San Juan Guelavía, Oaxaca

From carrizos (giant river cane) into baskets and lamp shades, Benito and his family meticulously process the reeds and turn them into beautiful functional objects.

Basketry is one of the oldest crafts of the continent, predating the use of fire for pottery. Basket making in San Juan Guelavía was once a prominent industry, but changing times and increased costs of production have turned many artesanos away from the craft.