Sawdust Easter Art: Around Lake Atitlan, San Antonio, Guatemala

                 Alfombras de Aserrín (Carpets made with sawdust)

This Guatemalan tradition, practiced during the Easter season in small villages and large cities alike, is a tradition that dates back to ancient Mayan times. 

Mayans made these carpets, with flowers for the kings to walk on as they made their way to Mayan ceremonies. In the 16th Century, the Catholic church altered the tradition of the alfombra and began to use colorful sawdust to create them.

Here the boys pose with several bags of natural sawdust

The saw dust is colored and cardboard stenciles are used to create the intricate detailed design

The Alfombra de Arracin, traditionally depict scenes from the passion and other Christian and Mayan religious symbols, in preparation for the Easter Season.  Local artist put together these unique works of art in mere hours.  These carpets are then destroyed as celebrants and congregants enter into the church for services. 

It was a really fun experience to watch these beautiful carpets constructed.  The boys had a lot of fun talking to and playing with some of the local children.  San Antonio was one of my favorite towns and the people are some of the nicest we met in a country of really nice people.  

To read about an interesting Czech tradition we saw last year click here. 

To see an art activity the boys and I did, not unlike this type of artwork, click here. 

Have you used sawdust in your art?

Do you have a unique Easter tradition?