Maya Atlas: The Struggle to Preserve Maya Land in Southern Belize

Whole Earth, Fall, 1998 by Michael K. Stone

The Atlas is the most beautiful and accessible example of indigenous mapping. It began as an attempt to defend land rights against the assaults of foreign loggers and the Belize government's intent to pave a major highway through Maya territory. As the participants shaped the project, though, they expanded it into a fully developed testimonial to Mayan culture, history, and way of life. The completed Atlas sings "We are here" as clearly as a field of meadowlarks. Only time, and the efforts of whoever cares about indigenous culture, will tell whether the Atlas survives as the song of living people or becomes another museum reminder of the ways of a vanished culture.

"The Maya Atlas... was created by any different people, bearing the imprint of multiple voices.... The village histories were written by a member of each village. They are not uniform because they relate what is significant to the people village.... Every person who participated wrote with their own eyes and their own heart. They are not always the same, but they are the eyes and the hearts of the Maya.... You are learning about the Maya of southern Belize in a way that no one has before, and we welcome you to our world.

"A point to be made in this atlas for the upcoming Maya generation is that this kind of exploitation [uncontrolled outside hunting] should be prevented. At this time of writing, a recent report told of a hunter visiting one of his many hunting grounds, where he was greatly annoyed by what he saw. He counted many recently hunted wild pig heads. This is commercial slaughter, which should not have occurred and must not happen again. We must not invite outside hunters -- this is the only way to stop this kind of animal destruction in the wild lands.

"Silver Creek Population 267. The traditional culture is rich, including the Cortez Dance, making pottery, embroidery, and other art work. The village was awarded first prize for being the cleanest village by having a regular fajina (a clean-up program).

In October, I974 the local political representative, Vincente Choco, completed the road connection from Silver Creek to San Miguel with a proper graveled road. The village alcade Lorenzo Sam, area representative Vincente Choco, and Harry Gomez, land officer of Punta Gordo Town, officially filed a statement that the local border between San Miguel and Silver Creek is Go-To-Hell Creek.

In 1975 the Roman Catholic primary school was built at a cost of BZ$1,600 [US$800] by a priest, Fr. John Cull S.J. After that, the alcade requested a meeting house -- cabildo (popol) -- which cost BZ$350 [US$175] The alcade also requested a water supply but was unsuccessful.