Months ago we all learned what an alfombra is from articles and books along with meetings leading up to this trip. I spent time looking up photographs of various alfrombras along with watching online videos of how they were made. The word means "carpet" in Spanish, however, it involves a lot more than a covering for the ground. Alfombras in Antigua are made from a variety of natural materials such as pine needles, palm fronds, flowers, or sawdust. People have been making alfombras in Antigua for generations, providing a decorated ground for various processions during Holy Week and Lent. Families and neighbors work together to create alfombras of varied complexity. Whether the alfombra making process took all night or just a few hours, every creation is treated with the same level of respect.
From the beginning of our trip, we have been getting inspiration and advice about the process. On Palm Sunday, we strolled throughout the city and saw a variety of alfombras, many of which included intricate use of palm fronds. Only a few were created with acerin, or sawdust, and from watching this process we picked up a few tips. We had the opportunity to meet a member of the Gonzalez family in Antigua, known for their intricate floral alfombras, on Monday. Dr. Jose Humberto Gonzalez Arenas came by Casa Herrera and shared many images detailing the process from start to finish. His family's dedication was incredibly inspiring, even leading to an invitation from the Pope to visit the Vatican. Another community member and alfombra expert, Miguel Angel Armas, invited us into his home to share videos, stencils, and stories about his family's tradition and process. We purchased many of the supplies for our upcoming alfombra from his family's shop, which sells everything Holy Week related including stencils, dyes, and even the robes worn by the carriers.
With the advice from alfombra experts, us novices were ready and excited to begin!
No comments:
Post a Comment