Almost every mine has at its entrance a small niche for an image of el tío. Upon this idol, complete with horns and tail, are lavished offerings of alcohol, cigarettes, and coca leaves. It is hoped that this will persuade the Devil to protect the miners from death down under.

One day at his store he began a friendly discussion with a priest. Seleme asked: “Mr. Priest [his manner of addressing him], why is it that the Church uses images when the Catholic Bible itself forbids them?” The priest responded: “Oh, it’s just those ignorant people out in the mountains who can’t read or write that worship them. The educated, intelligent people don’t worship them. They just have them as a reminder to worship God.” Right then a well-dressed lady from a prominent family came in. Turning to her, Seleme asked: “Lady, how do you consider your images? Do you have them just to remember God, or to worship them?” With a sweeping gesture, she responded emphatically: “I worship them!”