Tamo

Grass veneer is an ancestral artisanal technique that uses barley stems as raw material. From this material, they extract fibers that they dye and then apply onto wood to capture the essence of their culture.

This magical process begins when the fiber collector takes on the task of acquiring, selecting, and preparing the raw material used for the veneer.

Wheat is a cereal belonging to the genus "Triticum" and, along with rice and corn, it is one of the most cultivated cereals in the world. The origin of this cereal dates back to around 12,000 B.C. in Turkey, and its cultivation spread throughout the Mediterranean basins in Europe, eventually reaching Spain. 

In Latin America, it arrived during the colonial period, brought by the Spanish, for whom wheat was essential in their diet. In Colombian territory, this cereal has been cultivated in the highlands of Nariño and Boyacá.

On the other hand, barley is the fifth most cultivated cereal globally, with its origins tracing back to the Ancient Egyptian civilization over three thousand years ago. In Colombia, despite a decrease in production due to various factors like climate change, it is grown primarily in the areas of Nariño, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, and Santander.

One of the characteristics of tamo veneer is the vibrant colors that infuse each piece with life and personality. To achieve these colors, the collector dyes the fiber using dyes or anilines during its cooking process. Generally, this is done over wood fires at high temperatures to ensure that the color sets perfectly.

Once the straw tubes are dyed, they are set out to dry, cut open with a saw, and flattened. They are then glued onto sheets of paper design previously outlined on the product.

Once its dry, they cut it in very thin strips.  Then, with meticulousness and concentration, the artisan begins to glue one by one, the strips of tamo onto the wooden piece, following the design.

Once they are imprinted on the wooden piece, excess glue is cleaned off with a damp cloth, a sealant is applied, it is gently sanded to polish the finish, and finally, it is given a glossy or matte finish with lacquer.

And thus, one of the most beautiful products of Colombian craftsmanship is crafted: "tamo veneer," which, due to its wonderful colors and perfection in technique, manages to captivate both locals and foreigners.