Arrazola

Arrazola is a settlement in Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán where artisans carve wooden figures from copal wood sourced from the Sierra Sur and Mixteca regions. The carved pieces are hand-painted with colorful designs and sold as distinctive crafts recognized worldwide.

Woodcarving first emerged in this settlement during the 1950s as a new craft practice. The technique has since grown into a recognized art form with global reach.

More than 80 families run workshops where they handcraft imaginative wooden figures and paint them in multiple colors. The craft shapes how the community sees itself and how visitors understand the place when they walk through.

The easiest way to reach this place from nearby Oaxaca City is by second-class bus or shared taxi, with travel time around 30 minutes. Most workshops welcome visitors, though mornings are the best time to arrive when artisans are actively working.

The copal wood used by artisans comes from specific regions and is prized for properties that make it ideal for carving. This material has been valued in the area for centuries due to qualities that few other local woods possess.