Brief History of the Municipality of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in the Department of Sonsonate and its Cultural Heritage

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The Ministry of Culture announced the recognition and declaration of the traditional artisanal techniques of red clay pottery in the municipality of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Sonsonate, as a Cultural Asset.

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The research to finalize the declaration of the pottery as a Cultural Asset was conducted by the General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Heritage through the Directorate of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), which took into account the characteristics, history, and techniques of this type of craftsmanship.

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To make the declaration, it was considered that its creation is carried out primarily by hand using simple technology, and that "the techniques and knowledge have been transmitted from generation to generation since pre-Hispanic times, through oral tradition in artisanal workshops involving the entire family.

 

This provides social cohesion and local identity, as it is generally the grandmothers who teach the trade to children through simple tasks." This trade and tradition, passed down through generations, is also expressed by Ms. Mayra García, a member of a local artisan family and part of the workshop KAN TEKITI SUKIT NE GEMELOS, which in English means "The Twins" Clay Work Workshop.

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It is worth noting that in these red clay pottery workshops, artisans go through the process of creating comales (griddles), pots, kitchen utensils, handicrafts, and other products. Tourists can also visit these workshops to live their own experience or simply observe the craftsmanship and process.

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Taken from a publication by the Center under the auspices of UNESCO and the Regional Center for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Latin America.