For decades, sotol was criminalized, its producers forced underground. Today, one festival keeps that memory alive: El Entierro Sotolero—literally, “The Sotol Burial.”
A Symbol of Resistance
During prohibition in Mexico, sotoleros would bury barrels of sotol to hide them from authorities. Communities would later unearth these barrels during clandestine celebrations. The act of burial and unearthing became symbolic of both repression and resilience.
Modern Revival
Each year in Chihuahua, sotoleros and enthusiasts gather to recreate the ritual. Barrels are buried, then ceremoniously exhumed, honoring the generations who risked persecution to preserve the tradition.
More Than a Party
The festival is also a cultural showcase: music, food, and storytelling accompany the sotol tastings. It’s a reminder that sotol is not just a drink—it’s a cultural artifact, a living link between past and present.
Why It Matters
For outsiders, the festival is an entry point into sotol’s layered history. For locals, it is a celebration of identity, pride, and endurance.
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