Ironwood (Olneya Tesota) which the Seris (Kunkaak) call “Comitin”, is a Desert Tree that is extremely hard and is dried by nature for a long time period (100-250 years). It’s one of the hardest and densest of natural woods. This species is only found in the Sonoran Desert where it's local name is palo fierro (iron stick). It is extremely hard, will not float on water, and only burns with a very hot flame. Today, most of the ironwood used for carving comes from Kino bay, Calle 12 and the Caborca area.

Live ironwood trees are not harvested for carving. The carvings require three years of natural curing. The gatherers collect fallen ironwood and sell it to the carvers in Hermosillo, Miguel Alleman and Kino Bay sell Sonoran ironwood carvings often describe them as "hand carved," "Seri Style," "Authentic" and even "Genuine Seri."

Ironwood is actually very common in Mexico's Sonoran Desert. Highway 15 from Santa Ana to Hermosillo and Kino Highway from Hermosillo to Kino Bay pass through extensive areas in which ironwood predominates. The best wood comes from the higher elevations and according to the carvers, the higher the elevation, the darker and more solid the wood.

Since 1950 the popularity of Ironwood figures has grown internationally.

Today, Ironwood commercialization and elaboration represents the economical base and sustenance for more than 150 Seri (Kunkaak) families.

There are really very few Seris... less than 800. They live in two villages, Punta Chueca (shwekah) and Desemboque. The first is about 15 km from Kino Bay and is accessible only by a very bad, unpaved road. The other is 90 km from Kino Bay on the same road. They are both on the East shore of the Gulf of California. Many of that number are children. Many of the men are fisherman. "Traditional arts" include magnificent baskets, beautiful cloth, shell necklaces, ceramics and "Ironwood Carvings."

The Ironwood figures industry has been perpetuated by teaching the Art to a new Artist pupils who have been converted into great master sculptors. The exquisite figures are envisioned from the moment in which the artist is inspired from a virgin piece of Ironwood. Skilled artisans use knife and axe to obtain the basic forms of the figure, create and make details with blades and special tools. Women make the final work by finishing and polishing to bring out the shine of the figure. Each figure is original and unique because of its shape, color and wood grain.