By Luis Felipe Rodriguez
Miguel Malo Zozaya was born on December 22, 1906, in San Miguel de Allende. He was a much-loved resident of the city, a historian, genealogist, archaeologist, professor, politician, and promoter of culture—known to his friends as Miguelito. He was the son of Pedro José Malo y Sautto, a native of this city, who was a Judge of the Civil Registry and Consuelo Malo Zozaya y Cavazos, of Mexico City.
The family home where Malo grew up is known as the “House of Dogs” and is located at Umaran 4. The house takes its name from an architectural feature—the cantera corbels on the balcony are shaped like dogs. This house was originally built by Juan de Arenaza in the 18th century, and later his grandchildren Juan and Vicente de Umarán lived there. The two participated in the secret meetings, together with Ignacio Allende, in which the plot to overthrow the Spanish crown and gain independence was conceived.
Malo graduated as a chemist and pharmacist in the State College of Guanajuato (now the University of Guanajuato) and became a professor in both disciplines. He was short in stature and had a round, child-like face. On August 21, 1931, shortly before his 25th birthday, he married Magdalena Luna Polo, in the city of Guanajuato. He was a professor at the State Secondary School, at the “Las Casas” Institute, and at the Instituto Allende. He always had an interest in research and took up the study of various fields of science as a hobby.
He was the manager in charge at the Botica de Santa Teresita where he prepared potions and recipes behind the frosted glass counter. He was a deputy in the forty-fifth State Legislature; and founding director of the Ignacio Ramírez Cultural Center. Starting in 1950 he was Inspector for Colonial Monuments and a member of the Board of Surveillance for the designation of San Miguel as a typical population. On February 20, 1962, he notified the director of INAH (National Institute for Archeology and History) about the discovery of a pyramid in a place known as Agua Espinosa.
Malo was a collector of archaeological pieces, and his collection was registered with INAH as well as with the institute’s Public Registry of Monuments and Archaeological Zones. By May 1964 he had collected 298 items. His collection continued to grow until there were 5,116 items including braziers, pipes, and pots. With some of these pieces Malo opened a museum for the public, in his own house, on the corner of Mesones and Hidalgo. This became known as the Izcuinapan Museum. But Malo was accused of being a trafficker in archeological artifacts and was visited by federal agents several times as the legal process developed.
Cornelio López Espinosa, along with many other San Miguel residents, signed an open letter requesting the evidence that the authorities were said to have. This request was never honored, and in his book on San Miguel Lopez wrote: “Historical destiny calls once again the children of San Miguel de Allende, to defend the freedoms and virtues trampled by the sowers of discord and hatred, Miguel Malo offered his life to wash away his stained honor with his sacrifice.”
Many claim that the press and other media have falsely defamed an honest man. He was presented to the world as a plunderer of national treasures and a fraudster of historical relics. But others see him as a historiographer of San Miguel de Allende who discovered archaeological zones of this region for the benefit of Mexico.
Malo dedicated his entire life and all his economic resources to the creation of a historical and archaeological work of San Miguel for its residents. This was his creation, his life, and his primary scientific pursuit. He wanted to conserve the ancient history of San Miguel and was truly worried that these archaeological relics would be lost forever if they were transferred to the Capital of the Republic. When agents of the federal judicial police showed up at his house-museum with orders to seize those archaeological pieces, he felt that his life and his greatest dream were taken from him. He had always wanted San Miguel to have its own natural historical and archaeological heritage museum and because of all the pressures and insults from the authority he reached the end of the line. On May 1, 1972, Malo took his own life.
San Miguel respects his memory and demands that the good name of Miguel Malo Zozaya be vindicated. We wish that the museum organization he founded should remain, and that it bear his name publicly, and with official recognition of his great merits and sacrifices. The residents of San Miguel who sign this document declare that we are aware of the clean record of Malo and his prestigious family. Their historical background starts with the heroic deeds during the fight for national independence. We ask for an official rectification, clearing his name and establishing him as an honest and distinguished son of our people.
