Fortunato Hernández Bazán is a Mexican artisan from San Pedro Cajonos,

Oaxaca Oaxaca ( , also , , from nci, Huāxyacac ), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Oaxaca ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca), is one of the 32 states that compose the political divisions of Mexico, Federative Entities of Mexico. It is ...

in southern Mexico, who specializes in items made from

ixtle Ixtle, also known by the trade name Tampico fiber, is a stiff plant fiber obtained from a number of Mexican plants, chiefly species of ''Agave'' and ''Yucca''. The principal source is ''Agave lechuguilla'', the dominant ''Agave'' species in the C ...

fiber. He has been recognized as a “grand master” by the Fomento Cultural

Banamex #redirect Grupo Financiero Banamex Grupo Financiero Banamex S.A. de C.V. has its origins and is the owner of the Banco Nacional de México or Citibanamex (formerly Banamex). It is the second-largest bank in Mexico. The Banamex Financial Group wa ...

for his work . Ixtle is obtained from the thick hard leaves of the

maguey Maguey may refer to various American plants: * Genus ''Agave'', especially ** Species ''Agave americana'', the century plant ** Species '' Agave salmiana'' * Genus ''Furcraea'', a source of natural fiber * Maguey flowers, an edible flower Other use ...

plant, which the artisan uses the fiber to make

hammock A hammock (from Spanish , borrowed from Taíno and Arawak ) is a sling made of fabric, rope, or netting, suspended between two or more points, used for swing (seat), swinging, sleeping, or Human relaxation, resting. It normally consists of one ...

s, nets, plant hangers, huaraches, bags and belts. He also works with a much finer maguey fiber called “pita,” which is obtained from the heart of the plant. He learned the craft when he was a child and today, he works with his wife, Esperanza Cruz and his children, who participate in all phases of production in the family workshop. He cuts the maguey leaves at the thickest part, near the base of the plant. To obtain the fiber, he cooks the leaves in a pit oven. When ready, he removes them and beats them to a pulp, loosening the fibers by scraping them free. The fibers are then placed in soapy water with lime to clean them. The cleaned fibers are straightened and set out to dry, then they are twisted into string. To color them, the string is put in a mixture of soapy water and dye. Hammocks and nets are made in a similar fashion, by knotting on a rudimentary wooden frame. The knotting techniques are traditional to the region, with variations called jaspeado, el arroz, el arroz fino and crucetas. The method of finishing off hammocks and making the loops to hang them is unique to the artisan's community.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hernandez Bazan, Fortunato Mexican artists Living people People from Oaxaca Year of birth missing (living people)