Sabila, the saving balm: an Object Biography

Migrating within border spaces like the Sonoran Desert are both dangerous and deadly. Migrants who come to the U.S. bring their most valuable possessions making these objects a methodical component of their journey. Many migrants leave their homes with the clothes on their back and a small bag of belongings to move faster through their journey. Memo’s story is no different. In this treacherous crossing, Memo encountered theft, abuse of women, racism, and overall violence. Although he had not the power or agency to combat these abuses, Memo brought with a small balm made of aloe vera, lard, geranium essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, and anhydrous lanolin. A magical cream said to heal any pains and aches. His mother purchased it at a flea market in his hometown in Guanajuato, Mexico. She told him to rub his wounds gently in circular motions with this powerful balm. This balm said to immediately heal any pain which Memo gratefully accepted. This mighty medicine accompanied Memo through every scrape and sprain across the Sonoran desert. His feet would often get tired and at night, the balm covered his heels to reassure him that they would protect him across the rest of his journey. Western medicine would argue that this balm served no purpose but Memo’s mother disagreed. His mother had a kitchen lined with herbs and potions that cured the heart, soul, and body. Memo trusted this balm because he believed in his mother’s power of healing. 

The conditions of the Sonoran desert quickly deteriorate the health of crossing migrants. Often dehydrated, injured, and hungry, they relied on other ways of healing. This balm was Memo’s way of healing not only his physical pains but the aches of missing his dearly loved mother. The magical cream made of aloe vera, lard, geranium essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, and anhydrous lanolin was a memory of home. A memory that Memo held on throughout the cruel few days across the United States and Mexico border. One of these countries condemns the citizens of the other but disregards the political and social conditions that render people vulnerable and unsafe. Memo migrated to the United states to be saved from the violence and poverty faced in Mexico only to be faced with the same challenges in the United States. The saving balm however saved him.