Who is The Criada from Cities of the Plain and what is their importance?

The Criada is the old woman in charge of the girls who work at the White Lake. She helps them prepare before the men come to do business.

She has a bit more understanding of epilepsy than the whores that work there, but not much and so does the best she can to help with Magdalena's episodes. When Eduardo starts thrashing everyone in the room after the girl has a seizure the criada stands up to him and tells Eduardo that he should hit her if he is going to hit anyone. This does get him to stop.

She is also fairly attached to Tiburcio. When Billy knocks the pimp out cold she rushes over and cradles the man's head in her lap, sobbing.