Gourd Owl Ornaments- Mate Burilado

Mate Burilado is an ancient traditional craft of Peru and it means carved gourd in Spanish. It is a symbol of traditions and beliefs for the Andean communities of Peru. There are gourds that are as old as 300 years ago. The gourds were originally used as containers for carrying food from the Peruvian highlands. Traditional Gourds were carved with day-to-day activities, myths, dances and Andean traditions. Carved gourds showcased the stories of how people lived in the Andean Mountains. Today, gourds are carved with simple patterns for decorative purposes. The gourds are washed, peeled and dried in sun for 10-15 days. After the gourd is dried, the artist sketches their design on the gourd. Next, a “buril” or chisel is used to carve the patterns. The engraved gourd is smeared with oil and ash to fill the engravings, thus creating a black detail. The gourds are also burnt with burning piece of wood to create black color on the gourd. Storied gourds are a collection of gourds from Peru that continue to tell us about the craft and skill of Peruvian artisans.