Francisco MendozaApril 15

“Liquor gives one strength.” (“El aguardiente le da fuerza.”) But lots of money is spent on a drinking spree. When one returns from the fields with arms and shoulders in pain, etc. one drinks liquor and it takes away all fatigue.

Amador Servín offering rum to Juanito and folks from the homesteads

RML

The concept that alcohol gives strength is very widespread. It is drunk at wakes (the women who pray and the Prayer Leader), at birth, at burials, and in curing ceremonies (the curer and the witnesses; the owner of the earth drinks it, but not the patient). Sometimes it is the base of medicinal potions (with honey). On the other hand, alcohol uses up all the money of the people.