The Barro negro or the black clay from Oaxaca is known for its color, unique designs and shapes. It is crafted in a small village called San Bartolo Coyotepec. The ancient Zapotecs had used this clay-making technique. However, this method was made famous by Rosa Real, says an article.

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San Bartolo Coyotepec

San Bartolo Coyotepec is a Zapotec community. It has a pottery-making tradition that dates back to 2000 years in the past.

The settlement was called Zaapeche which means the 'place of many jaguars' by the Zapotecs. After the Spanish rule, it was named San Bartolome Coyotepec by Bartolome Sanchez. Sanchez is a conqueror who was given a local Encomienda award. He was the one who constructed the first church in the town in 1532.

The Invention of Rosa Real

The soil in the area is made with gray-colored clay. It was used to make jars and dishes by potters in the area. For hundreds of years, there was no relevant change in the process of pottery making. The changes started to occur in the earlier parts of the 1950s. This was during Rosa Real, a potter had tried polishing pieces of clay before completely drying them. Also, she used the technique of lowering the temperature of the fire in making the clay. This method had allowed it to change to a shiny black color.

The spin created by Doña Rosa had transformed the Barro negro of Oaxaca into a global hit. Then, tourists from different parts of the world had started traveling to San Bartolo Coyotepec to visit the workshop of Doña Rosa. The technique of making black clay had spread in the different parts of the town. Also, different workshops had started to make it.

Pottery of Doña Rosa

Doña Rosa and her husband Juvenito Nieto were potters their whole life. They lived through selling jars and mescal holders. After the invention of the black clay method, they had started using it to create new vases, candle holders, and pots. They had also placed designs such as flowers, leaves, and geometric figures.

Don Juventino died in 1978. In 1980, Doña Rosa passed away. Their son Valente Nieto inherited the workshop of his parents. He died in 2010. Currently, the shop of Doña Rosa is being operated by the sons of Valente.

Pottery Making

The color of the Barro negro is the natural color of the clay situated in the place. It is shaped similarly to how the Zapotecs do it. They call it the Zapotec wheel. It is disc-shaped and placed above another inverted plate.

The pottery is created by shaping it into a coil or mold. Then, it is finished by turning the disc. The disc with the product is hand-turned. This means that making pottery requires good balance and skills.

After finishing the pieces, they are let out to dry. They are placed in a room to dry for approximately 3 weeks. When the products are almost dry, its surface is slightly moistened and polished with a quartz stone.