The art of papermaking in Mexico dates back to pre European arrival in the early 16th century. Amate has been used in Mexico over the centuries to represent religious ceremonies and to record history. The earliest recorded example has been found in Huitzilapa, Jalisco... It dates back to around 25AD.

Now, as in early times, Amate paper is commercially traded and is a vital income source for many indigenous people in central Mexico. It is mainly produced in the small town of San Pablito, Puebla, using bark from the mulberry, lime, maguey (cactus) and fig trees. This bark paper is boiled and soaked over night until soft enough for the fibers to pull apart. It is then pounded using a rectangular rock with finger grooves until the pulp is evenly spread out in the shape the paper-maker wants.

The paper then finds its way to the Otomí artisans who have excelled for several generations at painting bright village and wildlife scenes on the handmade paper. Each painting is unique, one-of-a-kind composition completely hand painted in very rich detail by a skilled native Otomí artisan. They are all created from scratch from the artist’s imagination and are one of a kind.

The Otomí community creates elaborate & artful designs from the bark paper they produce. Being animistic in nature, they attribute these spiritual (god-like) energies, to village & world events, health, fertility, the weather and harvest. The designs of these spirit representations include gods, animal companion spirits, malevolent spirits, humans and animal, and plant spirits. These spirits inhabit the sky, earth, and the underworld. Each spirit realm is important and is recognised fully in ritual events.

To this day, there is an annual community ritual at the end of each year to cleanse the community & bring good energy for the coming year in which Amate paintings and statues are used. There are also rituals throughout the year for rain, health, crop production & harvest, as well as other life events & activities.