Alebrijes from Oaxaca

Alebrijes (ali-bre-haze) are fantastical animals carved from copal wood found in Oaxaca.  After Monte Albán we went to the nearby town of Arrazola to visit the workshop of one  of the carvers, Pepe Santiago.

They first chop the soft copal wood with machetes into rough forms.

 Then they shape it more finely with small knives

 and set their carvings to dry in the sun.

Each sculpture is unique and can take from days to weeks to complete, depending on the complexity of the form and painted designs.

Here is Rohan posing with the artist, Pepe Santiago, and his own colorful choice.

We took this little praying mantis home with us.

and this monster came home with us from the market in downtown Oaxaca.

Each part of these sculptures is designed to be packed to fit safely in your luggage, so his wings, tail, and even tongue are removable.  He arrived without damage.