Stories

Dominican mamajuana: mysticism, health and tradition

The Taino and African cultures are fundamental to the attractive personality that surrounds mamajuana.

According to some historians, this spirituous drink came to be from a medicinal tea made by our native Taínos to alleviate infections and pain.

Other researchers state that, in reality, mamajuana came to life in the early sixteenth century, in the hands of African slaves who brought their healing practices to La Hispaniola.

What we do know is that this “miraculous potion” has evolved along with the history of the island itself, and is a fundamental part of the Dominican idiosyncrasy.

The Taíno tea made of roots, leaves and barks, which was fortified with honey, molasses, spices, wines, liqueurs and rum, is surrounded by Dominican mysticism, folklore and cultural unification.

Faced with such a powerful and particular mixture, the belief in the medicinal effects of mamajuana intensified and became ingrained in the popular imagination of our people.

At some point in its extensive history, Dominican mamajuana became known as “el para palo”, a colloquial expression that refers to its aphrodisiac ability in males.

Many have attributed this effect to the use of shellfish and other mollusk in the recipe for this drink. In the past, hawksbill turtle meat was used in the preparation, however, they are now considered an endangered species and are no longer used for these purposes. Some still prepare it with seafood such as clam, lambi conch, octopus, shark cartilage and oysters, among others, to which they attribute its effect as an elixir that enhances sexual desire and corrects erectile dysfunction.

The good news is that this national drink, with the variations that have refined its recipe, has achieved international recognition as an emblematic representation of the quality of the products manufactured in our country.

Mamajuana has become a source of inspiration and a symbol of our culture, making it notable beyond our borders.

When it comes to folklore, when the drink became popular as a liquor in the first half of the 20th century, mamajuana became the most favored drink in the circles of merengueros and “criollo” musicians. In fact, its consumption has named popular groups and inspired classics of the typical Dominican merengue that are emblematic of our national discography.

But we will talk about mamajuana and merengue later, as it is an extensive topic – and very tasty – that deserves its own piece.