By Fernando Soria
The ancient profession of water bearer—or water carrier—refers to the person who distributed water among the population for many years, and it was a very popular occupation in the different neighborhoods of our town when access to running water was not widespread. Water bearers would gather at the main springs or San Miguel wells to supply themselves with water and distribute it to the houses of buyers or sell it on the street. The water bearer was an indispensable character in the city’s daily life, as they fulfilled the mission of bringing water to homes that lacked a water supply. Additionally, women and children would collect the vital liquid in clay pots and jars.
Many men practiced this noble profession with their famous donkey or a mezquite stick from which they hung the containers used to transport water from the public springs or wells. Their work was fundamental in providing valuable liquid to the houses.
