Henequen is a type of agave cactus plant species native to Mexico. It is shaped like an upside down devils claw from which Mexicans remove the fiber and use to make liquor and dyes. Henequen was used as rope for fishing before the development of the textile industry due to its toughness. Especially during the 19th century because of the fierce rush for imperial colonization , shipping orders increased hugely and henequen along with manila hemp from the Philippines provided for the world’s rope market.
The life led in Mexico by the laborers were no different to that of slaves, it was a hard, arduous and sad existence. As our nation was going through hard times, many saw the Mexican recruitment advertisements in the newspapers and boarded the ship to Mexico. But for the 40 day voyage the immigrants were forced to act as luggage, kept with the ship’s cargo. Every time they were hit with the harsh waves of the Pacific Ocean, the leader would comfort them “let’s have just a little more patience, a magnificent house and hot food will be waiting”.
In the first Ship that carried the 1,033 immigrants, 2 adults and one child lost their lives while one baby was born on board. Upon arrival they were sold strongest first to some 20 different henequen plantations. The Korean immigrants worked in boiling temperatures, and labored over 12hours a day picking agave leaves in henequen fields full of scorpions. Not a day went past where they didn’t suffer from scratches all over their body from thorns. When they could no longer endure the work and were caught escaping they would be whipped all over with ropes soaked in sea water or they had their ankles cut off. After 4 years of near deadly suffering their contracts finished and a few pounds were placed in their hand and with that their hopes of returning to their homeland vanished. Mexico had fallen. When they could no longer endure staying in Mexico they left with vague hopes towards Cuba and the many countries of South America, scattering in hopes of survival, marrying with the locals and settling into their respective countries.