Tlaquilcingo - July 12, 2009

I came to Tlaquilcingo today for a meeting about the 18 cisterns that the group wants to build in September. The project is 100% funded by Canada Fund, through the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City. When I got there for our scheduled meeting, everyone was in a community meeting for the changing of the "mayordomos" and organize the planting of over 800 mango trees they recently received.

Mayordomos
Evidently there are four families chosen each year to be in charge of and sponsor the town's fiesta. The meeting turned ceremonial when the outgoing "mayordomos" presented the incoming "mayordomos" with a bottle of mezcal (traditional cactus alcoholic beverage). The incoming "mayordomos" then proceeded to offer a shot of mezcal to everyone in the circle, men and women. Most of the men accepted, a few of the women did too. This too quite awhile. Then they passed out soda pop to everyone.

Finally they tried to set a date to plant the mango trees. The trees are part of a project with three different government organizations, though no one could tell me exactly which organizations. There is a community field that is fenced off. They have already planted cactus in the field. Each citizen has a 10 meter by 200 meter section.
During the discussions a woman turned to me and said "this is why I don't come to these meetings. I always leave with a headache." Lots of men talking at the same time. When a woman wanted to say something to the group, she address the mayor and then he repeated it to the group.

Needless to say, by the time they were done and ready to meet with me, many of the men had had a fair amount to drink. But we were able to talk about the next steps in the process and set some more dates. So the meeting didn't go as I had planned (don't worry, I don't plan much anymore) but I did learn a lot about the community.