with imagination overflowing and having as a tool his hands, mexican artisans They make the so-called carabiners or wooden rifles that adorn the Mexican carnivals when it comes to detonating gunpowder in each of their dances.
In the municipality of Huejotzingo, located in the central Mexican state of Pueblaone of the largest carnivals in Latin America takes place in February of each year, and the inhabitants of this municipality have become its main protagonists, not only for participating in it, but for the development of a fundamental tool.
The carabiners are pieces carved in wood, which simulate a rifle, which is decorated with pre-Hispanic designs and recall the history of Mexico. Inside they have a metal system that helps to introduce the gunpowder and then detonate it.
David Montes Rueda, a carpenter from Huejotzingo, shared with EFE that he has been making carabiners for 20 years.
David Montes Rueda A carpenter from Huejotzingo shared with EFE that he has been making carabiners for 20 years, thanks to his father’s teaching, and since he was a child he put his knowledge into practice by making his first rifles for the members of his family who would participate in the carnival.
He said that while a customer was making them She asked him if she could make one for him and he accepted, without imagining that he would leave carpentry to start a family workshop, which was dedicated to the creation and design of carabiners that are popular throughout the year and not only during this season.
I know my works have been taken to New York, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, New Jersey.”
David Montes Rueda, artisan.
The artisan commented that at first all his sale was localHowever, foreign tourists who visited the municipality in the mundane festivities or parties prior to Holy Week asked where these “weapons” were made.
Thus, foreigners began acbuy carabiners to have them as decoration in their houses.
IT MAY INTEREST YOU: They look in the theater for the tools to face old age
“I know that my works have been taken to New York, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, New Jersey, because the Mexican community has expanded the carnival tradition across the borders,” he said.
