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Amatenango, Chiapas, Mexico
JUANA GÓMEZ RAMÍREZ
In Amatenango, Chiapas, the craft of pottery has been passed down through generations, and Juana is a shining example of this tradition. Taught by her mother, Juana made her first clay jaguar at the age of twelve. The jaguar holds special significance in Mayan culture, symbolizing power and protection. "For our ancestors, the white jaguar represented day, and the black one represented night," she says. "I feel their energy every time I work on their shapes."
Juana’s process is rooted in tradition. She kneads the clay with sand and water for eight hours before shaping each jaguar, starting with the legs and moving to the body and head. The pieces are polished with river stones and sandpaper, and painted using natural dyes and vinyl paint. The final step is baking the jaguars in the open air, following a pre-Hispanic technique involving firewood and pine needles that burns for half a day.
Her jaguars, lifelike yet unmistakably crafted from clay, have earned her a reputation far beyond the Chiapas Highlands. Juana has also formed a collective of local artisans who work with her, preserving the clay traditions of her ancestors while supporting their community. Through her work, Juana honours both her heritage and the sacred symbolism of the jaguar.
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