I had the pleasure of chaperoning my daughters class trip to Cooperativa de Producción Artesanal de Mujeres Jicareras. Located about 40 minutes from San Juan del Sur Day School in a small town next to Rivas called Buenos Aires. The artists there gave a great presentation of the process of creating beautifully hand crafted cups, ornaments, and beverages out of the jicaro gourd.
We arrived by bus to a store where they sell & showcase the handmade jicaro products
We were given a short presentation about the process of making jicaro products
The kids got to color after the presentation for a little bit
We then went to a home nearby where we were given a full demonstration of the process, starting with the jicaro tree.
Azalea was very happy with her tiny jicaro that she got to pull off the tree herself.
We were shown how at first they boil the jicaro in water with ash.
Then it is cut open at the top and the inside mulch is scooped out with a small metal spoon.
The skin of the jicaro is scrapped off.
The design is drawn in pencil first.
Then is cut into the jicaro. We requested the tree logo of SJDS Day School
Finished product - beautifully handcrafted cups
Delicious jicaro drink made with the mulch inside, sugar, and cinnamon..