[Aztlan] re: Tobacco in Enema?

[Justin Kerr]

Carlos, Mike and Listeros,
There is a considerable body of literature having to do with the enema
ritual. There is considerable iconographic evidence from the vases; in the
Maya Vase database just type in the word enema in the search box. Most of
the images seem to point to alcohol as the primary ingredient and probably
alcohol derived from the fermentation of honey. As Mike points out below,
the use of alcohol in various healing and shamanic practice is well attested
to. We have speculated over the years what other additives could have been
added to the brew without very good evidence. In the particular case that
Mike is discussing the evidence or strong suggestion, comes in the form of a
small flask of the type that was used for tobacco with the image of a deity
partaking of an enema as well as the image on vase no 530 where as part of
an enema ritual the use of tobacco is shown. Tobacco has been shown to be an
enema ingredient among South American peoples. John Carlson has come to the
conclusion that tobacco is an additive in his work with the Kislak
collection of flasks. You can find the image of the flask in the
Precolumbian Portfolio no. 6271.
http://research.famsi.org/kerrportfolio.html.
Yes, mushrooms as well as plants in the datura family and possibly the
essence of frogs could have been introduced, but speculation is not
evidence. This is an ongoing study and we will probably play with this idea
for some time to come.
Justin    

-----Original Message-----
From: aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org [mailto:aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org]
On Behalf Of Carlos
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 1:18 PM
To: Mike McBride
Cc: aztlan at lists.famsi.org
Subject: Re: [Aztlan] re: Tobacco in Enema?

Hello all,
I have a question:  Why is it assumed that the substance is tobacco 
rather than 'some other substance' as mentioned.  While I was visiting 
the Popol Vuh museum in Guatemala City some years ago I couldn't help 
but see all the mushroom ceramics on display.  I know that there are 
varieties of /psilocybe/ at Palenque and I suspect elsewhere at similar 
altitudes.  It seems that tobacco is the oft described substance 
although a tobacco enema would seem the least attractive thing as I can 
attest from chewing a small cud of tobacco.
carlos


Mike McBride wrote:
> Hola Justin, Nick, y listeros,
>
> Justin: I think the right-most image in K6271 is
> pretty clear evidence of the intended use of its
> contents. Thanks for posting the image, really
> interesting.
> Also, as we discussed in Austin, maybe we should
> reconsider the 4 "old gods" scene on K530. I suggested
> that the lower right god is actually applying tobacco
> or some other ritual agent out of the small pot,
> rather than makeup. The 3 others all have an "alcohol"
> vessel in from front of them, and 2 of the 3 have an
> enema clyster on the vase in front of them, so
> something pharmacological is going on. 
> Not sure I've seen the Calakmul scene that Simon
> described as oral tobacco application, but K3460 seems
> pretty clear about some type of tobacco(?)
> administration. Interesting that the shape of that
> small vessel is the same as the narrow necked "alcohol
> vases" that you have described.
> Also interesting is the animal figure at lower center.
> Appears to be leaning against & reaching into a large
> "alcohol" pot with a prepared/used clyster in his
> right hand. Brings to mind part of the scene on K1381.
>
> Nick: interestingly, it was at the memorial service
> for Linda at her and David's house that Katherine
> shared with me some of her thoughts about ancient Maya
> ritual drug use.  She said to always remember that
> alcoholic mixtures were the basis of most or all
> ritual preparations. Makes sense - alcoholic
> preparations are easy to prepare and universally used.
> That pearl is one that I have applied to most of my
> ethnopharmacological studies since. 
>
> I have thought for a long time that not only were
> alcoholic preparations used to facilitate most ritual
> settings, but there were probably "drugs of choice"
> added to those preparations, depending on the
> event/ritual to be performed. The psychoactive
> alkaloids in tobacco, as well as many other
> pharmacologically active ingredients in plants/animals
> are easily dispersed in alcohol based liquids. 
> Additionally, it is a well documented physiological
> principal that the vast majority of drugs applied by
> enema are absorbed quickly with profoundly more
> intense activity. 
>
> Sadly, direct evidence of any admixtures seems lacking
> from ceramic vessels from archaeological context; i.e.
> lab analysis of dry or liquid sampling extracted from
> the inner surfaces of those vessels. I am aware of
> some proposed studies, but have not seen any results
> published.  I'd be grateful for any citations of those
> type results.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
>
>   

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