In Loving Memory of Taita Jose Maria

José Maria Espinosa Morales was born during August of 1911. He came into this world as a piece of property of the hacienda on which he was born. His father also was owned by the patron of the hacienda. When José Maria was three his father was sent out to build a road with the other peons and, in a state of inebriation, fell into a ravine and died.

In his lifetime, José Maria Espinosa Morales was involved in several enterprises. An uncle in Agato obtained his freedom and he worked with his family for many years. He worked for a wool merchant, he was involved in raising cattle. For one reason or the other, all of his businesses failed. During his lifetime, José Maria outlived five wives. I only met his last wife, Rosa.

For at least forty years of his life, José Maria was a "cargador", that is, a human cargo carrier. José Maria carried hundred pound sacks of grains for the local merchants from the Sierra to Intag, a two day walking trip, to exchange for salt and "puro". Human carriers were better footed and more reliable than beasts of burden for the difficult trip.

When he turned 70 José Maria began a new career. He became a cargador in the Otavalo food market. We worked together for almost ten years. He carried my basket of daily food purchases. When Taita José Maria no longer had his eyesight, he "guarded" my truck.

On January 12, 2001, Taita José Maria passed on after struggling to recover from a fall from a moving truck. He was 89 years old.

Through Taita José Maria I learned so much of the "ancianos" of Otavalo. I truly miss my friend! He was a very special individual!