Holy intoxication to drunken dissipation
Book Description
In the high Andes of Ecuador, a profound spiritual transformation unfolds as an indigenous community grapples with the sacred role of alcohol in their religious life. Barbara Y. Butler presents a compelling ethnographic study of the Quichua-speaking people of Huaycopungo, where ceremonial drinking once served as a bridge between earthly existence and divine connection.
For centuries, these Andean peoples viewed asua, their corn-based alcoholic beverage, as a sacred gift that enabled communion with spiritual forces. Ritual intoxication was not merely accepted but required, creating bonds of reciprocity between humans and the divine realm. Yet by the time Butler began her fieldwork in 1977, this ancient practice had begun generating significant social strain within the community.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn in 1987 when a devastating earthquake strikes the region. Community members interpret this natural disaster as divine intervention, prompting them to abandon their traditional obligation to achieve ritual drunkenness. This pivotal moment catalyzes a remarkable cultural shift as the people of Otavalo reassess their spiritual practices and their place within broader Ecuadorian society.
Butler weaves together intimate local perspectives with broader anthropological analysis, revealing how communities navigate the tension between preserving ancestral wisdom and adapting to contemporary realities. Her work illuminates the complex process of cultural renewal, showing how indigenous peoples can reclaim pride in their heritage while consciously evolving their spiritual practices for future generations.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~13 hours)
📄 Length: 480 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religious life and customs
- ✓ Explore South america, religion
- ✓ Explore Drinking customs
- ✓ Explore Social conditions
- ✓ Explore Social life and customs
- ✓ Explore Quechua Indians
- ✓ Explore Indians of south america, religion
- ✓ Explore South america, social life and customs
