Artesanía de higüera
Objects made from the dried fruit of the higüera tree, hollowed out and then carved or painted. It yields güiros, maracas, bowls and lamps. The technique has Taíno roots and stays alive at craft fairs across the island.
Example
A hand painted güiro and a maraca from the same gourd are the lightest souvenirs you can bring back from a fair.
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Related terms
Culture
Güiro
A percussion instrument made from the dried hollowed fruit of the higüera gourd, with grooves scraped by a metal...
History
Taíno
The Indigenous people who inhabited Puerto Rico, which they called Borikén, when the Spanish arrived in 1493. Their...
Crafts
Mundillo
Bobbin lace woven by hand over a cylindrical cushion, inherited from Spain and preserved above all in Moca, in the...
Crafts
Santos de palo
Religious figures carved in wood by artisans called santeros, a tradition centuries old on the island. They are...
Frequently asked questions
Is it a pumpkin?
No, it is the hard shelled fruit of the higüera tree, not an edible squash. It is dried before being worked.
Where do I buy them?
At craft fairs, town markets and cultural institute shops. Airport stores usually stock the industrial version.
