Tiburcio Mex and Yam, an 80-year-old resident of the Miguel Borge Martín neighborhood in Chetumal, is one of the few individuals who still practices the traditional craft of making handmade brooms from natural materials. This craft provides him with a source of income and livelihood.
His home's patio serves as his workshop, where he produces these brooms that were once commonly used by locals. The brooms are made from wood and guano, a type of palm tree. Each afternoon, Tiburcio spends several hours sourcing materials for his craft. He carefully selects each piece to ensure the quality of the final product.
He explains, "In the afternoons, I have to go to the nearby forests to cut guano and wood. It's tiring, but it helps me earn some pesos." Once he has gathered enough materials, he dedicates his mornings to producing these guano brooms, which he sells for 80 pesos each.
Tiburcio shared that on some days, he sells three to four brooms. However, there are also days when he doesn't sell any. To supplement his income, he also engages in other activities such as crafting other items, growing and selling flowers, and practicing traditional medicine.
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