The Mayan Communities, Guatemala
This project was done in partnership with Boa Foundation
Fundraiser Result: $5,000 USD
The Mayan culture is renowned worldwide, celebrated in school books, and studied extensively by anthropologists. Yet for centuries, the Mayan people themselves were denied the right to freely practice and transmit their culture. After generations of persecution and state-sanctioned violence, the 1996 Peace Treaty granted the Mayans the right to openly practice their traditions, including the ability to access sacred sites to conduct rituals. This marked a turning point, and today a broad movement to rescue and renew Mayan culture is flourishing.
One historic step toward this renewal was the creation of the first-ever Mayan-authored book on Mayan cosmology, mathematics, and ethnobotany. With our support, Tata Pedro Cruz (2005 World Peace Ambassador) and his family convened Wisdom Keepers from across Guatemala, documenting their meetings, and have worked toward publishing a book that preserves their knowledge in their own voice. In addition to cultural revitalization, we have supported urgent relief and protection efforts:
Impact Areas
Project Overview
Aldeia Sagrada and the new transportation fleet together represent a holistic vision: cultural renewal, inter-village connection, and the strengthening of Yawanawá sovereignty. They stand as living testaments to resilience, ensuring that Yawanawá culture, spirituality, and daily life continue to flourish in harmony with the forest.
PEOPLE
Mayan
LOCATION
Guatemala
FUNDS RAISED
$5,000
DATE
2019
From safeguarding sacred sites to authoring their own history, the Mayan people are carrying forward a profound legacy of resilience. These efforts not only preserve ancient wisdom but also empower new generations to walk proudly in their culture and identity.