Leonardo RoquilloApril 16

If a child falls off an animal or is frightened by an animal, dog, cat, etc., a gourd of water is thrust into the snout of the animal so that its breath enters the water. The child then drinks the water. The father buries tobacco powder at the spot and burns incense on top. The shirt of the child is spread out on the earth. Immediately after the ceremony the child puts on the shirt because the spirit has entered it. If someone takes the lover of some guy to the woods, and he sees him, that guy can infect him with TB. The guy (fulano) spreads out some large, prickly leaves of the shkah tieh on the ground and steps on them, praying. The abductor will get TB right away. “Many have died this way!” (“¡Muchos han muerto así!”). Rupert Jimémez got TB in this way.

Silvestre Cuevas, Melchor GarcíaApril 17

If someone is sick he can cure himself by means of the church. A friend or member of the family brings two candles, a shirt or blouse (huipil), and looks for the Rezador (prayer leader). They give a gratuity of five, ten, or twenty cents to the Rezador. When he lights the candles, one can see so and so’s sickness, and which cure is required by how the candles burn. ‘The candle tells all” (“La vela indica todo”). The Rezador sings the mystery and so and so puts on his clothes and is cured. If the Rezador sings in Mazatec he receives two pesos. If he says the Oración [in Spanish] he receives five pesos.

Natalia Ronquillo with a candle on Easter

Silvestre CuevasApril 19

If someone loses their spirit one has to bury four seeds of cacao (worth $30 “bajo la tierra” under the table [?]) with two eggs and tobacco powder as well.

Leonardo RonquilloMay 7

A piece of paper with the face of someone hanging by the side of the road would have been witchcraft if it had a candle at its base. Without a candle it’s just a toy.