A postcard from Mexico: the Piedra de la Fertilidad
Greetings from the Copper Canyon
The Piedra de la Fertilidad (Stone of Fertility) is a rock shaped like a penis which unsurprisingly is something of a fertility symbol for the Rarámuri people of the Copper Canyon region. They dance around it to mark festivals and believe that a man who touches it will become more virile while a woman doing the same will become pregnant. Unlikely at my age but I kept well clear! Our guide explained that the railway had been planned to go through this spot but when the people protested it was rerouted to run through a tunnel and avoid destroying the rock.
37 Comments
equinoxio21
Both our daughters went. Both say it’s quite unique… 👍🏻
Sarah Wilkie
It is 😃
notesoflifeuk
That’s quite a rock! I’m glad that the protesters won. Our local town managed to get a bypass moved slightly as to avoid an oak tree being taken down.
Sarah Wilkie
That’s good to hear – it shows people are sometimes listened to
Mari Nicholson
Thailand is another country with lots of fertility symbols, usually in trees, and these they dress with coloured pieces of cloth and ribbons. That plus the belief in animism and spirits, keeps the tradition alive. Even my very educated Thai friends refuse to disbelieve. Anyway, I digress. That’s a wonderful photograph of the railway line, I think the composition is superb. I’m looking forward to your posts on this trip when you return, and once again I’ll complete the form below that asks me to re-register my interest in your blog. I have to do this every time now for everyone, not that it makes any difference. I still have to search for blogs! The ways of WP are strange but I just think how much time they save me!
Sarah Wilkie
Everything you’ve said about Thailand convinces me we’d love it there too! Thank you for the kind words about the composition. To be honest the rerouting of the railway line created the opportunity for this shot to be composed as I did it!
grandmisadventures
I think its funny that there was such an uproar about the train being rerouted so people couldn’t go and touch the fertility rock 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
It’s not just about touching the rock, it’s of great significance to the Raramuri, part of their traditional beliefs
Jane Lurie
Aptly named! Glad it was saved since it sounds like an important ritual spot. I almost typed impotent. 🙂 Have a great trip!
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, it’s very significant for them, it would have been such a shame if their protests had been ignored. On the last leg of the trip now, hoping to see whales in Baja California Sur
wetanddustyroads
And there I see the old stairs first and think ‘what lovely rocks’ … until I read your description!
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, you didn’t spot it for yourself?!
wetanddustyroads
No 😂
Suzanne
I’m presuming fertility issues aren’t an issue there?😉
Sarah Wilkie
From my observations, certainly not – there were plenty of children around as evidence!
Suzanne
Perhaps their system is similar to Maori who would share (for a better word) their children with family who have none or aren’t coping with the child. Similar to adoption though not a legal process.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m not aware of any practices like that here although I’ve not yet read a lot about the Raramuri. However they do live in extended family groups so there must be plenty of support for parents.
the eternal traveller
It would interesting to know how often the rock works! 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Well, the Raramuri marry young and have lots of children, so …! We met a couple just 17 years old with their first baby.
the eternal traveller
Goodness!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Well! That’s a symbol which leaves little to the imagination!
Sarah Wilkie
Exactly – no need to wonder why the locals attributed such powers to it!
Sue
Interesting snippet
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Sue 😀
thehungrytravellers.blog
So many fertility symbols, so little time 😂. The rarest thing in your photo is the railway track – there sure as hell aren’t many miles of railway line in Mexico!
Sarah Wilkie
That’s a stretch of the Copper Canyon railroad, considered an engineering marvel and one of the best train rides to be had. More on that in a future post!
thehungrytravellers.blog
I look forward to it!
restlessjo
Our weird and wonderful world. Enjoy the Baja!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jo 😊
margaret21
Well, that’s certainly an unusual tourist draw. A shame you’re not prepared to report on its efficacy 😉 . Enjoy your last week!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Margaret 😄 I’m happy to report on my travels but there are some things I won’t try!
margaret21
👍🤣
Monkey's Tale
Nature makes interesting designs doesn’t it?
Sarah Wilkie
Indeed! And we have a habit of interpreting them in interesting ways!
Teresa
Nice to know. Enjoy Sarah, are you still there at the moment?
Sarah Wilkie
Still in Mexico, yes, but no longer in that region. We flew to Baja California today to spend the last week by the sea 🐳
Teresa
That’s nice 👏👏👏