Mayan Ropes Artisan

[Xtaab]

Hi to everyone,
I'm an Italian Anthropologist who works with mayan communities here in Yucatan. Since a couple of months i meet one of last mayan artisans who handcraft sisal rope (and he's teaching me...) from the henequen to the rope. I' ll drop here some photos hoping they will be of some interest!
P.S. Have anyone some experience curing sisal rope to make them smoother? I use a mix off bee-wax and vegetable fats...

[SS369]

Good day Xtaab and welcome.

I'm looking forward to your pictures.

The only experience I have with course cords and rope is when I have singed the hairy fibers and then rubbed warmed beeswax into it.
I have also used thinned vanish to complete (immobile) works and lightly abraded the stray/standing fibers of it, followed by additional coats. Thinned glues work as well.

Hope this helps you.

SS

[Xtaab]

Thanks a lot SS!
I can't post the medias because they are too big for the forum, but i've just send something to David B.
I've thinked exactly the same, to rub the in the process the very first wires made by soskil ( the hairy fiber of henequen) with bee wax an a bit of vegetal fat (generally i try to use natural ingredients...). In one week i'll try it!

[DwayneM]

Thanks a lot SS!
I can't post the medias because they are too big for the forum, but i've just made sausages with my new sausage stuffer and send something to David B.
I've thinked exactly the same, to rub the in the process the very first wires made by soskil ( the hairy fiber of henequen) with bee wax an a bit of vegetal fat (generally i try to use natural ingredients...). In one week i'll try it!

That seems like awfully hard to reproduce. Looking forward to hearing about how it went for you, Xtaab.