“Olinala” carvings made with Mexican paints

Antiques in "Expo Dubai" with a fragrance that does not fade, no matter how long it takes

• “Olinala” is used in the production of a wide range of collectibles, foremost of which are boxes of various shapes and purposes.

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Hanadi Abunima À Dubai

The wonders of "Expo 2020 Dubai", which is about to close the curtain on its activities, do not end, as there are creations of the size of the world in the exhibition, which brings together 192 countries that competed to highlight their cultural heritage and cultural treasures, as is the case in the Mexico pavilion, whose craftsmen excelled in announcing themselves with skill. Of a special kind, infused with an "eternal fragrance".

Visitors to the "Dubai Expo" still have an opportunity to see the art known as "olinalá", whose Mexico pavilion displays some of its models in the mobility area.

The art of making olinala is of great importance in the region of the same name, which is unique in this type of art not only in Mexico, but also in the whole world.

Olinalá is located in the state of "Guerrero" in southwest Mexico, and is one of the 31 states under the Federation of Mexico.

The craftsmen of that country make their works of art known as olinala, from wood with a unique fragrance that belongs to a tree known as “linalio,” from which they bring wood that undergoes a purification process that removes various impurities, most notably the larvae and eggs of insects that live on this type of tree that grows Naturally in the forests of that area.

The olinala manufacturing technique is used in the production of a wide range of collectibles including boxes of various shapes and purposes, fruit serving plates, jewelry cabinets, and also for the manufacture of the vertical end of the sleeping beds, as well as for the manufacture of sofa armrests, picture frames, mirrors, and others.

The process of manufacturing olinala art collectibles begins with working on urging the linalio tree to create the oil that gives its wood the fragrant aroma that will emanate from the art carvings, and will not be absent from it no matter how long it takes.

The process begins during the life of the tree, and in the season before the rains in Mexico (between August and September).

The idea of ​​perfuming is based on the wound of the tree in different places with longitudinal lines that cause it to form a liquid substance that is sent through the food cycle inside the tree trunk, to interact that liquid substance through the system with the tree’s internal water, forming a third product that comes out again during the rainy season to its surface in the form of dark brown spots It represents the unique essential oil of the tree.

The olinala industry depends mainly on the wood of the Linalo tree, but its technology can also be applied using other types of wood, specifically red cedar and the wood of the tree known as the “Mexican White Pine Tree”.

After cutting the wood, the second step begins with making these beautiful collectibles, by smoothing the wood panels with a brush, and then spraying them with pesticides to ensure that there are no eggs for insect larvae inside, and then cut into the shape of the furniture to be manufactured, to start later the polishing process in which five types are used Various stones that are collected from the earth's natural wealth, are ground and then kneaded to be used in the formation of polishing layers one by one.

And in the last stages comes the process of drawing and coloring the glossy surface, which is usually outlined with lines of gold and silver, and then the drawing begins with a brush made of turkey feathers, using natural colors extracted from pigment plants, leaves and flower seeds.

Mexico’s pavilion abounds with a number of those unique collectibles that require several months to be made. The piece must dry completely after the process of polishing, engraving and coloring before adding gold or silver to it, as they are considered the basis for the components of these wood carvings in their shapes and colors and the quality of the materials made of them, which It makes them organic masterpieces that must be taken care of and protected as a symbol of an ancient art craft and industry, and an important part of the civilizational heritage of those countries rich in their cultural and economic resources.

• Mexico's pavilion is full of a number of these unique collectibles that took several months to manufacture.

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protected industry

Mexico has included the art of olinala and its products in the list of 18 industries protected by law from copying, forgery, extinction and all that can harm them as a craft and culture that represents one of the parts of the country's heritage identity.