The Spirituality of Cacao in Ceremony - Course with Ixquik

Thanks for joining this 3-part course with Ixquik Lopez Zavala, the maker of El Cielo and La Noche cacaos.

Below you will find the recording of each course.

February 28 - The cultivation of cacao with conscience

March 6 - Forms of connection of cacao individually or collectively

March 13 - The history of cacao recorded in textiles

MORE ABOUT IXQUIK

Ixquik is the leader of Utz K’aslemal, a cacao collective uniting the areas of Sololá, Alta Verapaz, and Quiché in Guatemala.

Utz K'aslemal roughly translates to "Good living in a useful existence.”

The group has given Soul Lift Cacao the great honor of being the sole U.S. distributor of their cacao.

Their first offering was La Noche ceremonial cacao (available in blocks and pre-ground bags here). The name refers to the dark, roasty flavor, and an energy that's reminiscent of the night.

In 2023 we helped them release El Cielo cacao as well. It's actually one of the two origins that are blended in La Noche cacao. But El Cielo (Spanish for "the sky") has a lighter profile... with a light pineapple aroma and hints of vanilla.

The family uses sacred tobacco in their ceremonies for divination and healing. Ixquik’s mother Rosalía is also a respected midwife in their community who has reportedly delivered 3,000 babies.

Ixquik is a new kind of community leader helping to organize cacao farmers in the Alta Verapaz and Quiché regions of Guatemala so that they can stand up to the "coyotes." These are mob-like groups who try to pressure the family farms to sell their cacao at an unfairly low price.

By buying La Noche and El Cielo cacaos, you're directly supporting this movement to empower family farms!

OTHER ITEMS FROM IXQUIK ON OUR SHOP

- Dried cacao pods

- Jicara (gourd cup)