The Fine Alpargatas of Don Pio
Posted: March 30, 2020 Filed under: Huarache Artisan, Huarache Culture, Huarache Sandals, Uncategorized | Tags: ハンドメイド・シューズ, メキシコのサンダル, ワラチ, चमड़े के सैंडल, बुना सैंडल, मेक्सिको सैंडल, हस्तनिर्मित सैंडल, 皮凉鞋, 编织凉鞋, Мексиканские сандалии, 革のサンダル, 멕시코 샌들, Gewebten Sandalen, Geweven Sandalen, Guaraches, Handgefertigte Sandalen, Handgjorda Sandaler, Handmade Sandals, Håndlagde Sandaler, Huaraches, 짠 샌들, Lädersandaler, Leather Sandals, Ledersandalen, Leren Sandalen, Meksikanske Sandaler, Mexicaanse Sandalen, Mexican Sandals, Mexikanischen Sandalen, Mexikanska Sandaler, тканые сандалии, Sandales à la main, Sandales en Cuir, Sandales Mexicains, Sandales Tissées, Sandali fatti a mano, Sandali in Pelle, Sandali Intrecciati, Sandali Messicani, Sandalias de Cuero, Sandalias Hechas a Mano, Sandalias Tejidas, Skinn Sandaler, Vävda Sandaler, Vevde Sandaler, Woven Sandals, 墨西哥凉鞋, 手工凉鞋, 手作りのサンダル, 不織布サンダル, المكسيكي الصنادل, المنسوجة الصنادل, الجلود والصنادل, الصنادل المصنوعة يدويا Leave a commentA few weeks ago, while on holiday in Mexico I visited Senor Porfirio Montero Ortiz in Umán, a small town just south west of Merida, Yucatán.
“Don Pio” as he is affectionately known by everyone locally, has been making Alpargatas for almost 60 years since he was just 12 years old.
This huge mural in the photo below was painted by a local artist called Arnold Daniel Cruz Cetina, also Datoer, or Datoergs on Instagram. And is part of a series of portraits called “Pintado Recuerdos”, or Painted Memories.
Like Huaraches, Alpargatas are traditional Mexican footwear from the Yucatán peninsula. The earliest style is probably the “Aplargatas de Orejas” meaning “Eared” Alpargatas (please use the search bar on the top right to find more posts). They are simply made from a leather sole and Henequen/Sisal chord, and are similar to the “Pata de Gallo” Huaraches from Central and Western Mexico.
Don Pio is a master craftsman and makes some of the best Alpargatas in the Yucatán peninsula, some of which have won prizes in regional crafts competitions. The quality of his work and detail of his designs means that at the most he can make not more than 2 pairs per day.
Probably the most iconic regional style of Alpargatas are the “Chillonas”, a man’s style which are often used for dancing the local Jarana Yucateca dance.
“Chillonas” literally means “Squeakers” and are called this way because of the squeaky sound created by the multi layered leather soles while dancing.
Then there is the interesting “De Cordel” Alpargata which is an embellished version of the “De Oreja” Alpargatas which are commonly worn in the countryside.
And the “Cruzado” Alpargata is also an embellished version of the traditional style sandals.
A true artisan, Don Pio also wears his own designs which is quite unusual for Huaracheros.
The workshop of Don Pio is at Calle 21 N.113, just located behind the Town Hall in Umán, Yucatán.
Tel. 999.448.5859 and 999.645.9839
And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Talabartería-Umán-181516822012752/
More photos soon on Huarache Blog on Instagram
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