From time immemorial, the artisans of the Lake Pátzcuaro region have made diverse objects from “tule and chuspata”, a variety of bulrush. At first, they only produced bedrolls, the use of which continues to this day among indigenous peoples. Today they make baskets, floor coverings, and a variety of decorative figures, representing images of daily life in the surrounding area, revolutionary (armed) guards, religious figures, angels, virgens, musicinas, fishes, planes, skeletons…etc.
Miguel Ramirez Perez, (Ichupio, Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan, MX), and his fantastic world made of straw and “chuspata” (a variety of bulrush). All material used is obtained on Lake Patzcuaro’s lakeshore. You can find Miguel on the lake road between Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio, at Ichupio’s level… or , better, on the Tzintzuntzan market, mainly on Saturdays and Sundays…
Photography © Florence Leyret
www.florenceleyret.com