Cocuchas – Distinctively Michoacán

Hand-molded cocuchas, some of which can be two meters tall, are a sample of folk art from Michoacán.  They have earned national and international fame.  You will find them in countless homes and offices throughout the state and beyond.

Cocuchas - Distinctively Michoacán
Cocuchas - Distinctively Michoacán

Cocuchas have enabled the women of the indigenous community of Cocucho to empower themselves – out of necessity:  Cocucho is a town where most of the men have migrated to the United States.  With their cocuchas and other handicrafts, women are able to maintain their families.

Mexican Folk Art: Cocuchas from Michoacán
Mexican Folk Art: Cocuchas from Michoacán

Mexican Artisans from Cocucho Michoacán
Mexican Artisans from Cocucho Michoacán

If you visit Pátzcuaro during Day of the Dead, you can see how the women manage to get their cumbersome wares to the Plaza Vasco de Quiroga.  Some pieces are supported by the traditional rebozo (shawl), while larger pieces need to be loaded onto carts.  And they are also the ones who pack and load the cocuchas for the happy buyers.


                                           Woman Artisan from Cocucho, Michoacán

Women's Empowerment Through Handcrafts

Women's Empowerment Through Handcrafts

Since cocuchas are placed in various locations of Mansion Iturbe, our guests are always quick to ask, “Where can I find one of these lovely pots?”

Cocuchas at Mansion Iturbe in Pátzcuaro
Cocuchas at Mansion Iturbe in Pátzcuaro

If you want to buy directly from the artisans, we recommend you do so during the craft faires during Day of the Dead, and Holy Week. However, some of our guests even take a trip to the community of Cocucho to buy these famous pieces of pottery.  From Pátzcuaro, the trip is approximately two hours.  It’s a good idea to have the name and contact information of the artisan you like to make sure you find the piece(s) you want. Or, of course, you can just wing it and see what happens once you get there!

Women's Empowerment Through Handcrafts

Women's Empowerment Through Handcrafts


Woman Artisan from Cocucho, Michoacán

You can also find these cocuchas at the huge craft expos around Palm Sunday in Uruapan.

Cocuchas – Distinctively Michoacán
Cocuchas – Distinctively Michoacán

You might also be interested in attending the annual Polished Pottery and Embroidery Contest (Concurso Artesanal en Cocucho).  The date of the contest is variable (usually around the end of January), so contact the Institute of Craftsman of Michoacán to obtain the exact date of the next craft competition in Cocucho.

Mexican Folk Art: Cocuchas from Michoacán
Mexican Folk Art: Cocuchas from Michoacán

Mexican Pottery: Cocuchas from Michoacán
Mexican Pottery: Cocuchas from Michoacán

Whenever possible, buy directly from the artisans.  Besides, it’s funner than shopping in a department store! 

Cocuchas from Michoacán
Cocuchas from Michoacán


*Text video and pictures property of Hotel Mansión Iturbe.

We invite you to vist our blog, you will find information about Pátzcuaro and the surrounding area, that we hope will be helpful for your next visit to our colonial town in Mexico.

Here are some post that we suggest you:

Pottery in and around Pátzcuaro

Mexican Folk Art on the Banks of Lake Patzcuaro

Cantera Stone in Patzcuaro and the Lake Region


Hotel Mansión Iturbe
Portal Morelos 59
Plaza Vasco de Quiroga
61600 Pátzcuaro, Michoacán.
México.




Tels: +52 (434) 342 0368 / 342 3628



Fax: +52 (434) 342 3627

Toll Free fax number from USA & CANADA: 1-866 678 6102



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