Temazcal; floodgates

Amador ServínApril 10

Before, sugarcane was planted and it grew marvelously, but they turned into ranchers because they were demoralized (“se desmoralizó”) by the threat of water. One feels more secure as a rancher.

Amador ServínApril 11

It used to be that people planted lots of cotton, lots of sugarcane and rice, but for the last two years they have been afraid to plant on account of the water. Now no one plants these.

Temazcal; basin, 5th of June

Silvestre CuevasApril 13

Owing to the eminent flooding the commissioner decreed that the low lands be broken up, that anyone can plant where they are able.

RMLApril 17

When Silvestre was walking in the graveyard with his godfather, carrying a cross, he showed his sadness and tremendous preoccupation about the flooding. “How high will the water get? Can one plant or will the crop be lost? When will the water come?” etc. (“¿A qué nivel iba llegar el agua, si podría sembrar o perdería su cosecha? ¿Cuando va llegar el agua?“ etc.).

San Martin, former pasture of Amador Servín (1958)

~May 1

It seems that many people believe that gringos will come to occupy the land when the Mazatecos leave.

Genaro Vasquez, Jesús FlorentinoMay 3

Genaro y Jesús will do what Camilo says. If Camilo says, “It’s best that we go!” (“¡Mejor nos salimos!”), then we will leave.

Norberto Torres

Norberto is a very enthusiastic about the land in New San Martín.

Ramón Bolaños, Angel Florentino

Angel is waiting to hear from Camilo if they will leave or not. Ramón says that his brother has said good things about the land in New San Martín.

Leonardo RonquilloMay 7

Leonardo is sure that the gringos will come. There is no one who does not believe this. The government sold the land to the gringos. Now Leonardo is worried about the (rising) water.

Agapito JiménezMay 9

He is not going to New San Martín because he had heard that there is much sickness in New Ixcatlán: that all of the children are dying and he does not want to risk the lives of his children.