Seeing Stars: Popcorn Revisited
In the Sonora desert of Mexico, the Yaquis still make popcorn the traditional way, a technique anthropologists say goes way, way back before tortillas, probably before tamales.
The nights are dark and you can see even the shooting stars. The Yaquis cover the grains of maize with hot sand. As they burst open, the grains fly up. The children dance around, trying to catch them as they fall, como estrellas del cielo, like stars from the heavens.
The best story of our panel in the Feria del Libro in Guadalajara last week told by Jiapsy Arias Gonzalez who spends time with the Yaquis.
To reflect on in theaters with their slightly sickly smell of butter flavoring or when you pop a little paper packet in the microwave.
Edit. Just to be explicit, I’d be very surprised if the Yaquis did not weave some cosmic tale about maize and popcorn. For many native Americans, humans are made of maize. So here the purifying fire transforms the earthly body to the soaring whiteness and lightness of the soul or spirit.
We should do this for our next party :)
Are you volunteering for the hot sand?
Have you ever seen criollo popcorn for sale? I wonder if it’s a thing. Maybe I have to go to Sonora!
Great entry. thanks!
You mean spotty popcorn, Steve? I don’t usually buy it so I can’t say I can help here.
Rachel,
Did you see this article in the Wall Street Journal on GM corn making inroads in Mexico?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703493504576007583645210912.html?KEYWORDS=mexico
Kathleen
Yes, I did Kathleen. I know at first blush it sounds appalling. And that many Mexicans are up in arms about it. I actually applaud it. Why I do is a long story and I will try to get around to blogging about it as soon as I can.