Centzon Tōtōchtin
THE LEGEND OF 400 RABBITS
Hang around Mezcalnauts long enough, and you’ll undoubtably hear the Aztec legend of the 400 Rabbits, mischievious characters who show up whenever people drink agave. Here’s our version:
Patecatl, god of medicine, fertility, agave and the discoverer of peyote, had a drunken fun night with Mayahuel, personification of agave, goddess of alcohol and fertility. That resulted in her birthing the Centzon Tōtōchtin — 400 rabbits.
Being a god and all, she nursed them with pulque, the fermented nectar of the agave plant (instead of traditional breast milk).
These rabbit gods were given a serious responsibility: guard and protect all agave-based spirits (i.e. tequila, mezcal, sotol, etc.). However, being immature, they decided to drink said spirits and basically became drunks, especially since they were basically raised on booze.
So these rabbits grew up to be mischief-makers.
Legend has it that whenever you drink an agave spirit one or more of them will inhabit your soul and control your drunken behavior (regardless of how much you have drunk).
Until recently, only 7 of the original Rabbits had been documented and identified.
Recently, La Barca’s team of investigative mezcalnauts discovered all 400…
