Quibor Ceramics and Other Handicrafts and other Venezuela Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: Numerous, See Quibor Tip

Barquisimeto claims to be Venezuela's music capitol. There are plenty of good Llanero beef restaurants, and so traditional music--the cuatro, harp, and maracas--are likely to be found in the evenings. But, our travels to the dry desert state of Lara are primarily to visit Quibor and Tintorero where folk art is made. The ceramics of Quibor are exceptional for their quality and indigenous designs. Buses from Caracas to Barquisimento leave almost every hour.

What To Buy: The tip for Quibor provides more depth on the origins of the designs and types of artwork available here.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Local Craft
Website: http://www.venezuelatuya.com/occidente/quiboreng.htm

Name of Shop: Various in the Country

Prior to 1492, sailors slept on the ship deck in misery. But, Spanish sailors found natives of the Caribbean sleeping in hammocks, and a great invention for comfortable sleep was discovered. The hammock is very restful for the back and children love to swing in one. The correct way to sleep in one is with the body stretched out in a perpendicular manner to the hammock as it is hung between anchors on a wall or from trees. Indigenous Venezuelans can often be seen walking with their hammock over the shoulder. A hammock is a great souvenir because they are easily transported home in the backpack of suitcase.

Without a doubt, the finest hammocks are made in Venezuela. Also known as chinchorros, cheap tourist sisal hammocks are found everywhere, but these are to be avoided because sisal is both uncomfortable to the skin and sisal rots quickly in the sun and rain. Similarly, nylon hammocks are also the staple of some tourist shops, because Venezuela produces so many petroleum based products, but these are uncomfortable as they feel like plastic on the skin. They are also easily found anywhere in the world. Better are hammocks those woven natural fibers, such as from cotton, in a variety of colors. In Estado Lara, outside Barquisimeto at Tintorero are a number of workshops where colorful heavy cotton blankets and hammocks are woven on looms. These are very beautiful and comfortable hammocks sold at reasonable prices. They won't last long in the sun or rain, but with care will last many years. When we have a garden party at my house, I bring out the Tintorero cotton hammock for the kids to play in.

What To Buy: The best and rarest hammocks found sold in Venezuela are those made from special weather resistant fibers indigenous to Venezuela. The most famous are made from domesticated plants grown in Estado Monagas, near Maturin, in the village of Aguasay. Made from the ananas (brocchinea) fiber, the rows of chains in these hammocks have been compared to fine lace. These hammocks are smooth, strong, and comfortable and will hang in the backyard for many years regardless of weather. These remarkable hammocks are less colorful than the cotton fiber hammocks, but are much more expensive due to the remarkable performance and rarity of the plant fiber. So, I keep this hammock for our own private use and display for adults.

Within Venezuela, other local fibers also woven into hammocks, so it's worth doing some further research before buying. All these types of hammocks can be found in Caracas. There's a great shop in the Altamira District, for example, but the prices will be far higher than if purchased at the villages where they are made.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Local Craft
Website: http://www.fpolar.org.ve/cazweb/ingles/caz/cazhamac.htm