EL CERRILLO NEIGHBORHOOD
This traditional neighborhood was founded by Tsotsiles, Tseltales, Choles, Tojolabales, Zoque and other Indigenous Peoples of Chiapas slaves who had captured the first conquerors. Due to complaints by Fray Bartolomé in court on Spain, was sent the inspector Real Gonzalo Hidalgo de Montemayor, on August 25, 1549 who condemned the attitude of the conquistadores and encomenderos by the way they treated the slaves giving them their freedom and inviting them to build their temple dating from 1737; subsequently became the parish church of the neighborhoods of El Cerrillo, Mexican and Cuxtitali.
The temple is dedicated to Lord of the Transfiguration. As of August 6, a ninth is celebrated in honor of the patron saint and the local people go to church every Sunday.
The temple is dedicated to Lord of the Transfiguration. As of August 6, a ninth is celebrated in honor of the patron saint and the local people go to church every Sunday.
TRADITIONS
As in all traditional neighborhoods of San Cristobal de Las Casas in "El Cerrillo" the festivities celebrate the patron saint of the church in august and for nine days, as in other districts, there are many activities and celebrations where the local people are involved with great devotion.
CRAFTS AND FOLK ART IN EL CERRILLO NEIGHBORHOOD
This neighborhood is distinguished for works in wrought iron, which represents one of the trades inherited from the Spanish. Iron is forged through the use of hammering techniques and the application of extreme heat in order to fabricate useful items such as locks and keys, door knockers and bells with designs of the colonial era, crucifixes, candelabras, and other metalwork that comprise part of the distinctive artistic character of Chiapas.
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The ironwork of this barrio can be admired throughout the city on windows and their bars, doors and their locks, balconies, lanterns, and the crosses and weather vanes that adorn many roofs. Some of the craftsmen recognized in Barrio El Cerrillo are:
· Carlos Marcelin Gómez. Trade: Balconero (balcony construction). Works in the elaboration of windows, doors, handrails, and gates. Aged 54 years with 30 years in the trade and of the first generation of balconeros in his family.
· Jorge Luis Pinacho Solís. Trade: cabinetmaker. Works in the elaboration of didactic material, crafts, and doors. Aged 43 years with 20 years in the trade and of the first generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Álvaro López Cameras. Trade: Balconero. Works in the elaboration of doors, gates, handrails, stairs, signs, structures, and furnaces. Aged 38 years with 25 years in the trade of the first generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Abelardo Cruz Núñez. Trade: ironwork and forging. Works in the elaboration of ironworks and artistic wrought iron, elaboration of tools, crafts, locks, and keys. Aged 48 years with 35 years in the trade of the third generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Omero León Bermúdez. Trade: ironwork and forging. Works in the elaboration of doors, furniture, and others. Aged 52 years with 35 years in the trade of the second generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Gerardo Ramírez González. Trade: carpenter. Works in the elaboration of tables, chairs, doors, and windows. Aged 62 years with 35 years in the trade of the first generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Sebastián Pérez Intzin. Trade: carpenter. Works in general carpentry. Aged 56 years with 40 years in the trade of the second generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Taller de Leñateros. Trade: recycled paper. Works in the elaboration of recycled paper and cardboard with natural dyes. Aged 38 years with 29 years in the trade and operates a collective of Mayan contemporary artists in Chiapas.
· Carlos Marcelin Gómez. Trade: Balconero (balcony construction). Works in the elaboration of windows, doors, handrails, and gates. Aged 54 years with 30 years in the trade and of the first generation of balconeros in his family.
· Jorge Luis Pinacho Solís. Trade: cabinetmaker. Works in the elaboration of didactic material, crafts, and doors. Aged 43 years with 20 years in the trade and of the first generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Álvaro López Cameras. Trade: Balconero. Works in the elaboration of doors, gates, handrails, stairs, signs, structures, and furnaces. Aged 38 years with 25 years in the trade of the first generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Abelardo Cruz Núñez. Trade: ironwork and forging. Works in the elaboration of ironworks and artistic wrought iron, elaboration of tools, crafts, locks, and keys. Aged 48 years with 35 years in the trade of the third generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Omero León Bermúdez. Trade: ironwork and forging. Works in the elaboration of doors, furniture, and others. Aged 52 years with 35 years in the trade of the second generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Gerardo Ramírez González. Trade: carpenter. Works in the elaboration of tables, chairs, doors, and windows. Aged 62 years with 35 years in the trade of the first generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Sebastián Pérez Intzin. Trade: carpenter. Works in general carpentry. Aged 56 years with 40 years in the trade of the second generation of craftspeople in his family.
· Taller de Leñateros. Trade: recycled paper. Works in the elaboration of recycled paper and cardboard with natural dyes. Aged 38 years with 29 years in the trade and operates a collective of Mayan contemporary artists in Chiapas.
Wrought Iron work designs and tools. Photos: Mónica Solórzano Gil
To see some examples of the Iron work made in San Cristobal de Las Casas, visit the photo album on internet.