What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Chiapas? Beauty. Nature. Beautiful landscapes with lush vegetation, impressive waterfalls, archaeology and of course, its precious handicrafts that reflect the great cultural diversity of the indigenous peoples that make up this picturesque state.
Using millenary techniques, the inhabitants of Chiapas have shared with the world, throughout the years, the vision of a culture that exalts the beauty of nature and history, through their hands.
We can say that there are 4 of the most characteristic or representative crafts of the Chiapas culture: amber, Chiapas lacquer, ceramics, and textiles.
Amber: Extracted mainly from the municipality of Simojovel de Allende, amber is a natural resin that is produced as a result of a form of defense of the trees against any plague when suffering a break in its bark. Some people consider it as a gem or precious stone, since its striking colors that vary in shades of yellow, orange, green and brown, make it an ideal material for the creation of jewelry and other ornamental pieces.

During pre-Hispanic Mexico, amber was considered a symbol of power and prestige, and today, many people confer mystical properties on it, using it as an amulet for protection. Chiapaneca Lacquer: This technique uses natural elements of animal and vegetable origin (oil and earth). The jícara and the huacal are commonly used as containers for lacquerware. Characteristic of the region of Chiapa de Corzo and delicately decorated by hand with floral motifs, animals and beautiful landscapes, these handcrafted pieces give way to the creation of chests, trunks, religious pieces and even toys.
Ceramics: Representative of the region of Amatenango del Valle, known as the "Chiapas Capital of Ceramics", these pieces give way to the elaboration of figures of practical use such as pots, flowerpots, vases, vessels, among others, as well as ornamental pieces such as the well-known doves and jaguars.
Textiles: Rebozos, table runners, tablecloths, blouses, dresses, jorongos and bedspreads, to mention a few, harbor, behind each woven thread, the cosmology of the Chiapas people represented through a great variety of symbolisms based on elements of nature.

Although there are different techniques used by Chiapas women to make their embroidery, many of them specialize in the backstrap loom, in which they dedicate hours of work to make colorful embroidery that reflect the beauty of their people through different shapes and colors, which vary depending on the region.
In the municipality of Zinacantán, for example, their beautiful flower embroidery stands out - it should be noted that flowers are the main activity in this region - which stand out among purple, green and especially blue backgrounds. On the other hand, in the municipality of Venustiano Carranza, reds, whites and blues give color to the representation of the ancient history of these towns intermingled with modernity.
In addition to the aforementioned municipalities, the textiles made in Magdalenas, Lazrráinzar, and San Juan Chamula stand out.
Undoubtedly, the state of Chiapas welcomes its visitors not only through its natural beauty, but also through a culture rich in traditions that the indigenous peoples express through their precious handcrafted creations, proud Mexican heritage.

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