In 1957, in the small village of Arrazola, Mexico, natives began carving wooden animals. Over the years the carved Oaxacan animals have grown into a respected form of folk art. The work is based in the religious and everyday life of the people who make it. They carve cactus and kings, mermaids and devils, virgins and oxcarts, musicians and churches, Christ figures and skeletons. They make every animal know to man and then some. They capture the immediate world of village life and the universal world of dreams.
       Copal wood found in the hills surrounding the Oaxacan Valley is used for carving. Only fresh green wood is used since it is easiest to carve. Carvers use pocketknives, kitchen knives, and machetes to create their pieces. Once carved, the piece is allowed to dry for several days. Then before painting, the wood is treated for insects. The pieces are put together and painted. The process is a family effort. Generally, it is the men who carve and the women and children who paint. It is a source of family pride, and most homes have a small area where finished works are displayed.