Lacandón Maya in the twenty-first century : indigenous knowledge and conservation in Mexico's tropical rainforest / James D. Nations ; foreword by Diane Z. Chase and Arlen F. Chase.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nations, James D., author.

Contributor:

Chase, Diane Z., writer of foreword.

Chase, Arlen F. (Arlen Frank), 1953- writer of foreword.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Lacandon Indians--Mexico--Social conditions.

Lacandon Indians.

Lacandon Indians--Social life and customs.

Lacandon Indians--History.

Mexico.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Edition:

1.

Other Title:

indigenous knowledge and conservation in Mexico's tropical rainforest

Path to Open

Place of Publication:

Gainesville : University Press of Florida, [2023]

Summary:

"This book tells the story of how Lacando̹n Maya families have adapted to the contemporary world while applying their ancestral knowledge to create an ecologically sustainable future in Mexico's largest remaining tropical rainforest"-- Provided by publisher.

"From the ancient traditions of the Lacando̹n Maya comes an Indigenous model for a sustainable futureHaving lived for centuries isolated within Mexico's largest remaining tropical rainforest, the Indigenous Lacando̹n Maya now live at the nexus of two worlds-ancient and modern. While previous research has focused on documenting Lacando̹n oral traditions and religious practices in order to preserve them, this book tells the story of how Lacando̹n families have adapted to the contemporary world while applying their ancestral knowledge to create an ecologically sustainable future.Drawing on his 49 years of studying and learning from the Lacando̹n Maya, James Nations discusses how in the midst of external pressures such as technological changes, missionary influences, and logging ventures, Lacando̹n communities are building an economic system of agroforestry and ecotourism that produces income for their families while protecting biodiversity and cultural resources. Nations describes methods they use to plant and harvest without harming the forest, illustrating that despite drastic changes in lifestyle, respect for the environment continues to connect Lacando̹n families across generations. By helping with these tasks and inheriting the fables and myths that reinforce this worldview, Lacando̹n children continue to learn about the plants, animals, and spiritual deities that coexist in their land.Indigenous peoples such as the Lacando̹n Maya control one-third of the intact forest landscapes left on Earth, and Indigenous knowledge and practices are increasingly recognized as key elements in the survival of the planet's biological diversity. The story of the Lacando̹n Maya serves as a model for Indigenous-controlled environmental conservation, and it will inform anyone interested in supporting sustainable Indigenous futures. A volume in the series Maya Studies, edited by Diane Z. Chase and Arlen F. Chase"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction

Part I. The True People

Sanctuary

Lacandones Don?t Kill Dogs

Part II. "Where Did We Come From?"

The Ancient Ones

A Memory of Lakes

The Wooden People

The Story of the Stolen Skulls

Part III. Creating a Culture from a Forest

How to Eat a Rainforest

Farming with the Ants

Teaching a Canoe to Swim

Fibers, Vines, and Fire in the Night

Part IV. Mysterious Spirits

Flying Monkeys

The Jwan T'ut' K'in

The Lord of the Monkeys

The Snake in the Lake

Part V. The Will of the Gods

Creating the World

Paying the Gods

A Special Place in Hell

Part VI. Conservation: The State of the Forest

What Happened to the Selva Lacandona?

Saving a Rainforest

Part VII. Resilience: The Forest and the Future

A Question of How We Will Live

Notes:

Title from online title page (viewed on October 16, 2023).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Print version: Nations, James D. Lacandón Maya in the twenty-first century

ISBN:

9780813072937

081307293X

9780813070568

0813070562

OCLC:

1374833997

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.