Why did Spanish authorities suppress mushroom ceremonies in Mexico?
Spanish authorities suppressed mushroom ceremonies in Mexico during the 16th century primarily because they viewed these practices as incompatible with Roman Catholicism, which the Spanish sought to impose upon the Indigenous populations as part of their colonial agenda.12
The Spanish priest-historian Bernardino de SahagĂșn reported on the cultic use of mushrooms with disapproval, reflecting a broader colonial effort to eradicate traditional religious practices. During this era, Spanish missionaries and officials frequently characterized Indigenous rituals as abominations or idolatry. To enforce religious conversion and consolidate control, authorities actively destroyed sacred regalia and subjected religious leaders to severe punishments, including torture and execution. These actions were consistent with the methods of the Inquisition, which were transferred to the Americas to suppress any perceived threats to the authority of the Catholic Church and the Spanish crown.12