Uyama Pottery Tour and Workshop
The longest lasting of ancient artifacts is still being uncovered, and more importantly, created in the green and vibrant town of Uaymas, just outside Valladolid.
Najil'Kat is the Espadas Family traditional pottery workshop, in the little town of Uayma, some 25 minutes west of the town of Valladolid in Yucatan. A fantastically magical place, people for the joy of clay, and to learn about this longest-lasting of the things made even since the ancient period of the Maya world.
The family has dedicated themselves to the art and craft for decades and going back six generations. Honoring their ancestors is just part of why they carry on. Tours of the workshop begin with a guided visit to the center of Uayma, the charming town whose streets are steeped in history. One of the main points of interest is the church and former monastery begun in 1646. The center of the village is just a few streets all leaned in upon by the surrounding greenery.
But visitors soon long for the pottery workshop and the cool clay. The crafting process is shared from the careful selection and collection of clay from specific areas of the landscape. Hand molding, drying, and the slow firing of the works follows soon after. Tools and techniques have been passed down from generation to generation but today's participants will want to make something all their own.
The encounter lets guests appreciate the deep bond between the people and the land. Clay is more than a raw material, but is quite often the land itself. It's thus a strong symbol of identity and cultural memory. A traditional wood firing process, similar to smoke firing, means you don't have to wait too long to get the results of your own handiwork.
Most guests will arrive to Uaymas from with Valladolid or from Chichen Itza. The Chichen Itza station on the Tren Maya is just about one hour to the west of Uaymas.
Contact:
Espada Family
Calle 27, Uayma
Tel. 98 4105 7444
najil.kat@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/najilkat/
