Traditional Crafts and Foods

Indigo-Dyed Clothing

Suchitoto´s history is directly connected to the history of indigo, which supported the city´s rapid economic and population growth until the 19th century when synthetic dyes collapsed the market for pure indigo.

Today, however, the indigo tradition is live and well in Suchitoto and you can find its characteristic deep blue tones on a number of garments and fabrics, hand-designed and hand-dyed by women in Suchitoto.

Hand-Rolled Cigars

Since pre-Hispanic times, handrolled cigars (known as puros) have been smoked for personal, medicinal, and ceremonial uses. Today, the making of puros has diminished but in Suchitoto there are two women who keep this laborious tradition alive.

Natural Jewelry

The plants native to El Salvador serve as natural sources of material for jewelry. You´ll find earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings made from natural materials such as bamboo, el morro, coconut, lágrimas de San Pedro, and more.

Blackware Pottery

El Salvador´s black pottery is produced in Guatajiagua, a town formerly inhabited by the Lencas or Potonas. Today, a variety of utiliarian and decorative black pottery items are produced by women, who give each a "nacascolo" bath -- a natural tint that gives the pottery its deep, resonant black sheen.

Embroidery

You can find plenty hand-embroidered clothing and textiles with a variety of designs right here in Suchitoto. Much of this embroidery was made by women from the Concertación de las Mujeres, a cooperative of women supported by the City Hall of Suchitoto.

Cornhusk Flowers

Pupusas

Easily considered the national dish of El Salvador, pupusas (stuffed tortillas served with tomato sauce and slaw) are easily found throughout Suchitoto´s streets and cafés. While the traditional fillings are beans, cheese, or pork, in Suchitoto you will find a playful experimentation of the pupusa at work. Try Ajhuiyak Ne Tupal or Pupuseria Nenitas on the Plaza to sample pupusas stuffed with non-traditional ingredients such as mushrooms, spinach, basil, jalepeño, and more.