A lot of magic happens in Mexico. I’ve been, I’ve seen. Besides, many countries of Central and South America are imbued with faith in the magical powers of various phenomena, animals, herbs or words. But especially in Mexico, I was surprised by the belief in magic combined with such a commercial drink as Coca-Cola.
A beautiful, colorful country with a great history and with big contemporary political and, above all, social problems. Poor health care, a weak tax system, which certainly pleases many but also does not allow to achieve social protection for people who are not doing well in life, are sick or elderly. No wonder that where there is no state support and real help from state institutions, many people resort to believing in the magical powers of various parts of plants, animals or other things.
Mexico reportedly has the world’s highest per capita consumption of Coca-Cola. Especially in families, the Indian Coca-Cola gives the life of the inhabitants and family celebrations a prestigious character. It can not be missed at weddings and funerals. Coke is given even to young children, the sick and the elderly. In some regions, nothing is drunk but Coca-Cola, which has displaced corn-based beverages prepared for many years.
To produce 1 liter of Coca-Cola, you need about 2 liters of water. The company is accused of excessive exploitation of water resources, aggressive advertising policy and lack of education even about the amount of sugar contained in the drink. On the other hand, a poorly functioning drinking water purification system for the population increases distrust in the quality of available water and supports interest in Coke.
The problem is best seen in Chiapas and the capital of this region, San Cristobal de las Casas. The beautiful, colonial city founded in the early sixteenth century is located in a valley at an altitude of 2200 meters and has serious problems with shortages of drinking water. Here, the consumption of Coca-Cola is extremely high.
The drink is used in religious and magical rites. A frequent explanation of Cola’s career in the mystical and religious sphere is explained by the belief that burping is healthy, helps to cleanse evil spirits, releases bad energy and cleanses the body. Hence, before Coke, beverages prepared on the basis of corn, often solidly fermenting, were used in the rites.
I do not know if the explanation with burping really has support in the beliefs of the local population, but I saw such a scene – a beautiful church in San Juan Chamula, to which the Mayo Indians sometimes descend from the mountains for several days. In order to pray, to apologize for sins. A long hike and they wander whole families, with small children. Women dressed in traditional hairy wool skirts did not allow themselves to take pictures. In the church, taking pictures is also prohibited. It’s a pity, because it is very colorful, modest, basically empty. On the sides of the nave there are sculptures of saints, each has a mirror hanging around his neck. On the floor densely scattered needles, in the church everywhere you can smell fresh needles. Definitely it is beautiful, different and magical.
In front of one of the sculptures of the saint, a family of several people is kneeling, praying, bending low to the ground. Suddenly, with a swift movement, one of the women twists the head of the chicken brought and then sprinkles the floor around and the figure of the saint with Coca-Cola! Well, I admit that I was a bit clogged, although if you think about it, what kind of prayer and mass is more interesting….
And as for the mirrors on the necks of the saints. The explanation I got from a local guide was that the Indians are not quite able to explain the concept of confession and how spoken repentance and prayer purify the soul. They imagine that along with a prayer to a particular saint, the soul comes out of the human body, the saint purifies it, the pure soul is reflected from the mirror and goes back to its owner.
Mexico, next to its incredibly rich history and breathtaking monuments, certainly has many surprises for you. If you have the courage, try soaps to attract your partner from rattlesnake sperm, bottled water ensuring the presence of the Holy Spirit, caring Madonnas and many other magical attractions. Anyway, not only Mexico, similar magical places can be found at the witch market in La Paz in Bolivia, at voodoo stalls in Brazil and Ecuador, the sorcerers’ market in Johannesburg in South Africa. From treating infertility with powdered llama fetuses to penis enlargement and summoning lost lovers. Every continent has something to offer.