Traditional woodworking

Traditional woodworking

Traditional woodwork in Asturias has been fundamental to the development of everyday life. Wood has been used in: - Traditional construction: granaries such as hórreos and paneras. Elements of a hórreo include pegoyos, muela, colondras, viguetes, tiyeres, tentemozos, aguilones, tornos and pontones. - Asturian furniture and household items: escañu (bench), tayuelu (small stool), arca (chest), masera (dough trough), espetera (plate rack), vasar (shelf unit), alacena (cupboard) and truviecu (log seat). Also common joinery techniques in furniture, decorative carving, and other utensils such as zapicas, xarres (jugs), bowls, chopping boards, desca and salpimenteru (salt and pepper container). - Musical instruments: gaita (bagpipe), castanets, pitos (whistles), chiflu (flute), gaita rabil, rabel and bandurria. - Wooden footwear: the madreña. Made from a single piece of wood and designed to protect the feet from cold, snow and mud in rural areas. They are characterised by having three pegs (“tarugos”) on the sole, which raise the foot off the ground.

2272

Carmen Pérez Maestro

Spanish

Intangible

939

Trabajo tradicional en madera

Spain

A specialist in traditional wood craftsmanship in Asturias needs to master technical, cultural and practical knowledge, as well as an understanding closely linked to the land, tradition and climate. For example, they must be familiar with local woods such as chestnut and oak, master traditional joinery techniques without nails, know how to build and restore hórreos, make madreñas, adapt their work to the humid climate, and understand Asturian cultural traditions to preserve the authenticity of the objects.

Nowadays, traditional wood craftsmanship in Asturias is mainly passed down within families, from parents to children, in artisan workshops where it is learned through hands-on practice. However, it is also transmitted through vocational training in carpentry and cabinet-making, direct apprenticeships with craftspeople, and activities such as fairs and associations that help to promote and preserve this knowledge. In some ethnographic museums, workshops related to this craft are also held.

Wood craftsmanship in Asturias has traditionally been, and still is today, a predominantly male occupation. The traditional specialisations that still exist, although they are now scarce, include madreñeros, who specialise in making madreñas; builders and restorers of hórreos and paneras; and woodturners, who specialise in shaping wood using a lathe, a machine that spins the piece so it can be formed with tools such as gouges and chisels. There are also artisans who combine tradition with contemporary design in their work.

Today in Asturias, wood craftsmanship fulfils important social functions such as preserving cultural identity, strengthening community life, passing on traditional knowledge, generating local employment, promoting sustainable values and protecting heritage, making it a key activity for keeping Asturian traditions and rural ways of life alive.

The main change has been the introduction of mechanical tools. There has also been a shift in the type of objects produced, as items that were once made from wood for everyday use are now typically made from metal or ceramic, while today wooden objects are often produced as decorative reproductions. Finally, there has been a decline in the overall production of wooden goods.

In Asturias, there is the Asociación de Amigos de la Madera Les Forgaxes (Forgaxes means “wood shavings” in Asturian). It is an organisation dedicated to preserving the trades associated with wood, as well as providing a space for sharing knowledge and bringing together people who practise this craft. Each year, it organises a gathering to promote the work of master artisans. There are also several ethnographic museums, such as those in Grandas de Salime, the Museum of the Asturian People in Gijón, and museums in Quirós and Grau. There is also a specific museum dedicated exclusively to wood, known as the Museum of Wood and the Madreña in Caso. In relation to traditional wooden architecture, there is the Hórreo Interpretation Centre in Bueño, as well as an organisation dedicated to preserving this type of traditional architecture, known as the Asociación de Amigos del Hórreo Asturiano.

Aged practitioners,Diminishing participation,Diminishing youth interest,Reduced practice

As with many manual crafts, the tradition is being lost due to the disappearance of the use of wooden objects, replaced by cheaper materials, and consequently, there is less interest in learning and developing the craft.

Insufficient financial resources

In the specific case of hórreos and paneras, public funding from institutions to maintain them is limited.

Loss of knowledge,Material shortage

As with many manual crafts, the tradition is being lost due to the disappearance of the use of wooden objects, replaced by cheaper materials, and consequently, there is less interest in learning and developing the craft.

Traditional wood craftsmanship in Asturias is one of the pillars of its artisanal heritage, closely linked to rural life, vernacular architecture and everyday living. It is deeply connected to the region’s history, economy and identity. Today, it remains important because it defines the region's culture, reflects adaptation to the natural environment, preserves historical and artisanal heritage, contributes to the economy and tourism, and represents a sustainable practice.

N/A

It is an activity that does not pollute the environment.

Although there are few artisans who make a living from this work, it does provide economic sustainability for those who practise it.

Zero hunger,Good health and well-being,Decent work and economic growth,Life on land

Asturias, Spain

woodwork,social practices, rituals and festive events,knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe,culinary practices

declining

LAPONTE_CP_10