Atzeneta d'Albaida
We continue our route and arrive to Atzeneta d’Albaida, where the work with esparto is very important.
In the past, the work with esparto grass was the main occupation of farmers from most of the Valencian villages, particularly when bad weather interrupted farming activities.
They
made all types of baskets, mats and “cofines” (pieces of
the oil press) with the esparto grass. Some of these items were used
in farming activities and other were sold. The process starts when the
esparto grass arrives from Murcia (particularly from Hellín and
Elche de la Sierra). The esparto has to be put to soak in order to make
it more flexible and strong. Once it is wet, it has to be left covered
for twelve hours to soften it and avoid it drying out.
Firstly, the “menades” or bunches are levelled, forming what is known as “feix” (group of seven or eight bunches). Secondly, the “feix” is beaten to easily remove the old and rotten espartos. A group of 16 “menades” makes two “feixos”, which are planted downwards and make a “plantat”. Then, the esparto has to be stretched. Two bunches called “floraes” are made with the longest esparto grass. With the shortest esparto they form bunches to make “lligases” (ties). The rest of the esparto grass is used to make “llata” (a plait used to make baskets and other items) and “cabets” (an esparto plait used to reinforce the rim of baskets, mats, etc.).
Nowadays,
the only mechanized task is the activity of mincing the esparto. With
this system, production has outstandingly increased. In fact, in the
past, the esparto grass was put to soak during 40 days and then it was
beaten with a wooden mallet.
Because of the modernization process of the country, most of the objects made with esparto grass are not used any more and the production focuses on the elaboration of handcrafted products for craft fairs.
If you want to acquire these products in Atzeneta, call these telephone numbers: 0034 962356076 (Joaquín Tormo) and 0034 962356104 (Juan Tormo).
