ABSTRACT
The Valles Centrales (Central Valleys) region of the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico is the source of carved wooden figures known as alebrijes, which are distinguished by their bright colours and intricate painted patterns (Chibnik, 1999, 2000, 2001; Brosi et al, 2000; López, 2001; Peters et al, 2003; Purata et al, in preparation). The carvings generally represent fantastic animals, mythical figures such as mermaids and dragons, and human-animal chimeras. The wood used to carve these figures comes from various species in the genus Bursera (Burseraceae), locally called copal, and found in dry tropical forests in this and other regions of Oaxaca and neighbouring states.
