Two manuscript amate books of Alfonso García Tellez
Two manuscript amate books by Alfonso García Tellez which, both in their form and content, offer an ethnographic insight into the brujería (witchcraft) customs of the region, documenting its rituals and spirit entities.
- Historia de la Curación de Antigua de San Pablito Pahuatlán Pue[bla] ['History of traditional healing in San Pablito, Pahuatlán, Puebla']. San Pablito, 1978. Manuscript in black ink on handmade paper with 26 muñeco illustrations cut out from handmade amate bark-paper. The book is concertina-folded, 22 pages, crown octavo. Original handmade paper wrappers with muñeco illustration on front with manuscript title and production information, cloth edges with popper fastenings. It describes traditional healing ceremonies and other rituals.
- Historia de una Vivienda para Hacer una Ofrenda al Santo Tecuil ['History of a Dwelling Requiring an Offering to Saint Tecuil']. San Pablito [Mexico], 1981. Manuscript in black ink on handmade paper with 18 muñeco illustrations cut out from handmade amate bark-paper (brown and red). The book is concertina-folded, 28 pages, crown octavo. Original handmade paper wrappers with muñeco illustration on front with manuscript title and production information, ribbon ties. It describes curing and other traditional ceremonies.
Dates
- Creation: 1978-1981
Extent
1 box
Language of Materials
- Spanish; Castilian
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 17014/1].
Shelfmark:
MS. 17014/1-2
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 17014
Abstract
Two manuscript amate books of Alfonso García Tellez.
Biographical / Historical
Alfonso García Tellez belongs to the indigenous Otomí people of San Pablito, Puebla, Mexico. He learnt how to make amate paper from his ancestors and sells his books at craft markets.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Blackwell's by the Friends of the Bodleian in 2019.
Physical Facet
The books are manuscript in black ink on amate paper. The dark paper is made from the bark of the wild fig tree, the lighter from that of the mulberry tree, and they are considered to have magical properties, broadly symbolising malevolence and benevolence respectively.
Subject
- Title
- Catalogue of Two Manuscript Amate Books of Alfonso García Tellez
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Lucy McCann
- Date
- 2019
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk