File:Incidents of travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan (1858) (14763534872).jpg

Identifier: incidentsoftrave11step (find matches)
Title: Incidents of travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan
Year: 1858 (1850s)
Authors: Stephens, John L, 1805-1852
Subjects: Indians of Central America Indians of Mexico Mayas
Publisher: New York : Harper & Brothers
Contributing Library: Brigham Young University-Idaho, David O. McKay Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University-Idaho

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various impor-tant causes, among which were the improvements inthe plaza, had roused the feelings of the wholecommunity, and a strong notion prevailed, particu-larly among the aspirants to office, that the republicwas in danger unless the alcaldes were changed.This feeling extended through all classes, and,through the interposition of Providence, as it wasconsidered by the successful party, the alcaldes werechanged, and the republic saved. The municipal elections of Nohcacab are, per-haps, more important than those of any other villagein the state. The reader is aware of the greatscarcity of water in Yucatan ; that there are norivers, streams, or fountains, and, except in theneighbourhood of aguadas, no water but what isobtained from wells. Nohcacab has three publicwells, and it has a population of about six thousandentirely dependant upon them. Two of these wellsare called norias, being larger and more considera-ble structures, in which the water is drawn by 334 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.
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mules, and the third is simply a poso, or well, hav-ing merely a cross-beam over the mouth, at whicheach comer draws with his own bucket and rope.For leagues around there is no water except thatfurnished by these wells. All the Indians havetheir huts or places of residence in the village, with-in reach of the wells; and when they go to workon their milpas, which are sometimes several milesdistant, they are obliged to carry a supply withthem. Every woman who goes to the noria for acantaro of water carries a handful of corn, which shedrops in a place provided for that purpose : thistribute is intended for the maintenance of the mules,and we paid two cents for the drinking of each ofour horses. THE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE. 335 The custody and preservation of these wells arean important part of the administration of the vil-lage government. Thirty Indians are elected everyyear, who are called alcaldes of the wells, andwhose business it is to keep them in good order,and the tanks constantly s

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