We, The Real People, believe that the gods gave us Balché and taught us the ways to use it. The gods themselves became inebriated by balché, and it is our duty to imitate the gods and to experience the exhilaration of balché. First, the brewer offers his drink to the gods; later, the people partake of it, usually just before dawn. We call the balché brewer "Lord of the Balché." He is identified with Bol, the god of inebriation.

Balché is made in a trough or canoe. While chanting incantations, we fill the canoe with water and honey, adding chunks of bark and roots from the balché tree*. The mixture begins to ferment immediately. It results in a magical, intoxicating drink we consume during rituals.

The People have long held the balché tree and its mysterious beverage sacred. Because the drink has strong religious significance to us, the Spaniards banned the beverage in an attempt to convert us to Christianity. Bastidos!

The ban was observed until Chi convinced the Spaniards that balché had important health benefits and that many of us were dying as a result of the prohibition. Stupido Spaniards. They lifted their ban and we were able to resume our balché rituals.

Praise Chi and his golden tongue! Now, pass the k'aizalah okox, please.