From Mexico to Riyadh: Clay and Iron Speak Their Own Language at Banan

     Riyadh, November 26, 2025, SPA -- In the Mexico section of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan), the distance between Riyadh and the southern and western states of Mexico seemed to narrow into a single thread of clay, color, and craft. Standing there were Aida Aquino Boyo from Oaxaca and Cecilia Cortes Morales from Michoacán, each carrying the heritage of an entire region in her hands, unofficial ambassadors of a nation across the ocean.
   Such a rich cultural encounter would not have been possible without the careful planning of the Heritage Commission, which transformed Banan into a vibrant, seamless space where global artistic experiences converge, ensuring that every artisan feels their work and story are honored and valued.
   Aida worked the clay as though she were reshaping a collective memory passed down through generations. Her creations were far more than decorative objects; they were stories molded by hand. Each piece begins as a simple lump of clay, then undergoes a journey of kneading, shaping, drying, coloring, polishing, and finally firing in the kiln to gain its lasting strength. The precision and care in her craft reflect the ancient artisan traditions of Oaxaca, long celebrated for transforming humble materials into works that embody the region’s cultural heritage.
   She stated that she came to the Kingdom with one desire in her heart: for visitors to know how distant communities create their own beauty, and how they translate their identity into a tangible material. She added, with a smile, that her presence here was unexpected and that the invitation carried great meaning for a woman who has spent her life among clay, kilns, and colors.
   On the other side of the pavilion, Cecilia Cortes Morales shared a different yet equally profound story. For thirty-four years, Cecilia has specialized in a craft based on colored iron and overlapping metal strips. She begins her process as if drawing on paper, but in fact, she is cutting, dissecting, and shaping precise iron strips. Each piece is individually sculpted, then colored, and finally assembled in intricate, overlapping layers that form the final shape after days of compilation.
   -- SPA