Yesterday took us to San Juan Guelavía for the eighth annual Feria del Carrizo. I missed it last year (I was up in el norte) and it was good to be back. The feria just keeps getting bigger and better and its continued success is good news for the community. And, I got to reconnect with Teresa Hipolito who wove two lampshades for me in 2015!
Because plastic baskets have gained popularity as the shopping basket of choice, the village saw a severe decline in the demand for their handcrafted baskets made from carrizo (Arundo donax, Spanish cane, Giant cane, Wild Cane, and Colorado River weed) — a tall perennial cane that grows along river banks in Oaxaca.
Baskets woven from carrizo have been used as carriers and storage bins since before the Spanish set foot on the soil that became Mexico. Thus, San Juan Guelavía decided to hold a fair to help rescue the craft of weaving their beautiful and traditionally utilitarian creations from carrizo and give a much-needed boost to the economy.
Besides baskets and bird cages, the artisans have branched out to weaving lampshades, decorative bottle covers (they make great gifts, especially when filled with mezcal), fashioning toys, earrings, and much more.
As with most ferias and special events in Oaxaca, there was music, folkloric dance groups from schools in the area, craft vendors from nearby villages, mouthwatering food…
… and absolutely adorable children.
In a village of about three thousand, there are currently about thirty families who work with carrizo — that’s a large percentage of the population! And, the very good news is that the skills and pride are being passed down to the younger generation.
The fair is held the last Sunday of January and the first Sunday of February. If you missed it yesterday, it is definitely worth a visit next Sunday — perhaps on your way to or from Tlacolula’s weekly market. San Juan Guelavía is about 40 minutes east of the city. By the way, there are a couple of workshops along the road that leads into town that are also worth a stop.
(ps) For more cute kids photos from the feria, see Oaxaca-The Year After.
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View From Casita Colibrí 
Thank you fir your post
You are very welcome!
¡Hola!
This is Peter, coming to you from North Beach SF but expecting to return to OAX at least twice this year. Shannon, I’ve been meaning to tell you forever about how much I enjoy your blog posts, and the current one about the Feria del Carrizo finally got me going! I hope you don’t mind a question: in your opinion, where or what is the best source to find out about events like the feria? I’ve looked at oaxacaevents.com and quepasaoaxaca, but they seem to miss most of the good stuff that you report on. Might you have a suggestion or two of good info sources?
Many thanks, and keep up your wonderful work.
All best, Peter Yedidia
PS. You may not remember me; my wife Connie and I rented a casita near the Sanchez Pasquas mercado for several years earlier in the decade. We were Exec Producers of the film Dreamer, and I believe you and I had a conversation or correspondence about that and chatted briefly after an event or two at the OLL. Be that as it my, Cheers….
On Mon, Jan 28, 2019 at 10:28 AM View From Casita Colibrí wrote:
> spixl posted: “Yesterday took us to San Juan Guelavía for the eighth > annual Feria del Carrizo. I missed it last year (I was up in el norte) and > it was good to be back. The feria just keeps getting bigger and better and > its continued success is good news for the commun” >
¡Hola Peter! Yes, I remember you and I also seem to recall you are a friend of John Goodman’s. Your kind words re the blog are much appreciated and encouraging. Alas, there doesn’t seem to be a single source for ferias, festivals, patronal celebrations, etc. However, ViveOaxaca has added a calendar of upcoming events that adds to the toolbox. Hope this helps! Let me know when you are next in town. Saludos…
As always, love your posts and, of course, the photos!!