The Academy of Mayan Language and Culture
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Quintana Roo, México
The Academy of Mayan Language and Culture (AMLC) is a non-governmental organization that includes teachers, journalists, researchers, painters, poets, orators, cultural promoters and writers interested in fortifying the Mayan language and culture. An important objective of the Academy is to encourage reading and writing in the Mayan language. This is important not only for Mayan’s today, but for all of us that are interested in this historically significant culture
We interviewed Sofía Marisol Berlín Villafaña about how the Academy will use a recent grant from the Friends of World Heritage Fund.
Can you give us a brief background on the Sian Ka’an community?
The regional biodiversity of the Reserve is of utmost importance to the entire area but especially to the more than 2,000 people who live inside the Reserve, subsisting on lobster fishing and eco-tourism projects. The Reserve has unique and important traditions due to the indigenous inhabitants of the area -- self identified as Masewal, or “men of corn” -- their way of life, customs, traditions, and history.
What services does The Academy of Mayan Language and Culture (AMLC) provide?
The Academy of Mayan Language and Culture (AMLC) has created a development plan based on the 13 elements of the Mayan culture: Mayan philosophy or spirituality, medicine, language, gastronomy, the Mayan justice system, the arts, architecture, mathematics, astronomy, economics, education, and political organization.
What will FOWH funds allow you to do?
The funding for this project will facilitate the education of community leaders and the re-opening of the museum as an information center for Mayan culture and regional biodiversity. The newly opened space will re-establish and fortify the link between the elders who conserve our contemporary Mayan culture, and the youth who will be participating in the events and social service programs in the community. We believe this will ensure a hopeful future for this threatened indigenous group.
Is there something other people outside your community could do make your community stronger?
Without a doubt there are people and institutions in Mexico and abroad who are interested in the conservation of the cultural, linguistic, and biological diversity of the planet in places like the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. They are our principal allies in promoting and sharing the wealth of our region for study, preservation and understanding. Their support also permits development that is sustainable and considerate of the Mayan cultural identity.
How does the community interact with the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve on a daily basis?
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve has had a positive effect in our community because it is a place that limits the poaching of plants and animals, and its creation has not infringed on the existing private properties in the area. The limited activities that are permitted in the Reserve have been studied and approved for minimal environmental impact.
If you wanted to leave one message to our readers about the community you help build, what would it be?
We are committed to conserve and protect the heritage of our Mayan elders for future generations. Through this commitment, and inspired by our elders, we hope to transfer to all of humanity the values of respect, harmony, conservation of our surroundings, and hospitality.
RESOURCES
- Return to the Helping Build Communities Campaign home page
- Read about the Belize community grants
- Contribute to the Friends of World Heritage Fund
