The Land of the Jaguars with Tsoontajal, Chiapas
Wednesday February 14th - Monday February 19th 2024
Limited to 8 participants
The participation fee: € 1695 per person and € 1395 for an accompanying guest
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Led by Maestra Agustina, Maestro Bonifacio and their family this is an invitation to immerse yourself in a world where the land and her people came to an understanding long ago.
A world ruled by that which is not seen, but felt, where pottery, tradition and mysticism merge.
Their world is one where working with the earth ensures survival and little else is desired.
This trip is an amazing opportunity to experience a complete ancestral, indigenous pottery practice working with nothing more than the natural materials immediately available.
The family will lead us through the start to finish process from collecting the wild clay, processing it, the various stages to hand building, burnishing and then decorating it with natural pigments and a final ancestral firing.
Maestra Agustina and her family were the first indigenous artisans to join our project more that five years ago and their generosity, authenticity and kindness are contagious to all who have the privilege to meet them.
Join us in our journey to this special place where offerings are made to the earth before the clay is taken and if you ask how they know where to find it, they will respond; because “Our ancestors told us”.
“On this trip, I woke up every morning thinking: this is one of the best gifts I could give myself! And I keep thinking about it months later.
My soul has been enriched by every encounter made during this trip, so intense and full of life.”
Maria Teresa Furnari, Milan
ՈՒրարտու (Urartu) Scholarship
Please note there are two places available on this trip under the ՈՒրարտու (Urartu) Scholarship, Open to makers, thinkers and educators who identify as SWANA, Latino and BIPOC this is a financial award that covers 50% of the total cost of the trip.
As part of our exploration in detaching from autocratic and patriarchal systems we no longer have an application process for this scholarship, places are awarded on a first come first serve basis. We trust in the power of our organisations to attract the most special souls far more than a process that increasingly feels outdated and divisive.
That said we do ask that you read the scholarship page first before booking just to make sure you feel aligned with our ways of thinking and being.
“The program’s design is based in relationships and is intentional about both creating meaningful opportunities for program participants to learn and ensuring that Indigenous practices and wisdom are uplifted & celebrated in ways that benefit Indigenous artists, families and communities.
As an Armenian person living in diaspora, it was also an opportunity to connect with my own cultural heritage. I am forever grateful to have had this opportunity and could not recommend it more wholeheartedly.”
Tracy Serdjenian, New York - Urartu Scholarship recipient 2022
“My experience on this trip was more profound than I ever could have imagined. Not only was it an in depth learning experience into a communities work with the craft of clay…
but it was a window into each family's way of life, love, and reverence for the earth…I remain forever changed by the experience”
Kristen Jensen, New York
Reserve your place with us a 500 euro deposit. The outstanding balance is due 4 months before your arrival. Payment plans are available if needed. (contact us to discuss further) Please make sure you have read the T&C´s on the booking page carefully first.
Participation fee includes:
- Five nights of private accommodation in a beautiful old hacienda, made of clay just outside the picturesque city of San Cristóbal.
-Full board, consisting of traditional meals, prepared using local ingredients, usually organic farmed ancestrally.
- A minimum of 20 hours tuition/ exchanges with the family. We will learn unique hand-building methods and the extraordinary opportunity to not only harvest our only clay but to search for and make natural pigments used for glazing and decorating.
- Option to take part in a Temazcal (prehispanic cleansing ceremony) ancestrally led by Shun (This is an incredible opportunity!)
- Additional visits related places of interest and special visits led by Shun
- Translation (though we will also soon be offering the option to take up online Spanish classes before your stay)
- Support from the Terra team before and during your visit.
- Private transportation and driver throughout the week.
Further details & FAQ´S
-Airfare, alcoholic/extra drinks and the purchase of beautiful things you may want to buy are not included.
-Everyone joining us must have insurance covering full medical expenses, personal injury, loss or theft of luggage/ personal items we recommend (through are not affiliated with world nomads)
-This special week will be supported by Corinne, Diego, Shun & Porfirio you can read more about our team here.
Flights and arrival to San Cristóbal
The closest Airport to San Cristóbal de Las Casas is Tuxtla Gutiérrez International Airport (TGZ), (though it’s official name is Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport.) It is located approximately 1 hour 20 minutes and 77 km east of Tuxtla Airport. There are around 6 direct flights from Mexico city per day with several operators including the national Airline, Aeromexico. If booked in advance the flight is around 60 euro each way. It's also possible to get the coach from various destinations in Mexico with the national company ADO.
When does the programme start?
Our journey together starts on the afternoon of the 14th of February with a traditional ceremony and welcome dinner at the beautiful Casa de Tierra in San Cristóbal las Casas which is our home for the trip.
Will we have some free time to explore the city?
As our itinerary does not include any time in the small city of San Cristóbal de Las Casas we recommend you extend your stay by a few days either side if you wish to explore the city. Chiapas native, Shun (who we collaborate on the non- ceramics part of the trip) will be offering a three day package to explore the city and other incredible nearby places that you can choose to attend this will be for a very small cost - contact us for more details. We can help you with suggestions for accommodation etc if you choose to extend your stay.