Lacandón Maya in the Twenty-First Century: Indigenous Knowledge and Conservation in Mexico's Tropical Rainforest (Maya Studies)
$35.00
Description
Book Synopsis: From the ancient traditions of the Lacandón Maya comes an Indigenous model for a sustainable future.
Having lived for centuries isolated within Mexico’s largest remaining tropical rainforest, the Indigenous Lacandón Maya now live at the nexus of two worlds—ancient and modern. While previous research has focused on documenting Lacandón oral traditions and religious practices in order to preserve them, this book tells the story of how Lacandón 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 Lacandón Maya, James Nations discusses how in the midst of external pressures such as technological changes, missionary influences, and logging ventures, Lacandón 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 Lacandón families across generations. By helping with these tasks and inheriting the fables and myths that reinforce this worldview, Lacandón children continue to learn about the plants, animals, and spiritual deities that coexist in their land.
Indigenous peoples such as the Lacandón 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 Lacandón 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
Details
Discover the ancient wisdom of the Lacandón Maya with Lacandón Maya in the Twenty-First Century: Indigenous Knowledge and Conservation in Mexico's Tropical Rainforest. This groundbreaking book reveals how the Lacandón Maya have seamlessly integrated their ancestral knowledge with modern practices to create a sustainable future. With over 49 years of study and experience, James Nations provides unique insights into how the Lacandón Maya have adapted and thrived in the face of external pressures.
Unlike other research, this book goes beyond documentation and delves into how Lacandón families have successfully built an economic system that combines agroforestry and ecotourism. By cultivating their land in a way that preserves biodiversity and cultural resources, the Lacandón Maya have found a way to generate income for their families while remaining environmentally conscious.
What sets Lacandón Maya in the Twenty-First Century apart is its focus on the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. By participating in sustainable practices and passing down stories and myths, Lacandón children continue to connect with their environment and learn about the plants, animals, and spiritual deities that coexist in their land. This book provides a blueprint for how Indigenous communities can revitalize their traditions and protect the Earth.
The significance of Indigenous knowledge is widely recognized, as it holds the key to safeguarding the world's biological diversity. The Lacandón Maya, who control one-third of the remaining intact forest landscapes, are at the forefront of this movement. Their story serves as a powerful model for Indigenous-controlled environmental conservation.
If you are passionate about supporting sustainable Indigenous futures and want to learn from the triumphs of the Lacandón Maya, Lacandón Maya in the Twenty-First Century is a must-read. Order your copy today and join the movement towards a more ecologically conscious world.
Discover More Best Sellers in Water Sports
Shop Water Sports
Half Fast: (mis) Adventures in Slowly Sailing around (on) the World
$6.99


Butterfly: From Refugee to Olympian - My Story of Rescue, Hope, and Triumph
$17.71


Lonely Planet The Joy of Wild Swimming 1
$22.00


Swim Like a Pro: How to Swim Faster and Smarter with a Holistic Training Guide
$17.99


Reef Smart Guides Florida Keys: Scuba Dive Snorkel Surf
$26.20


The Art of Resilience: Strategies for an Unbreakable Mind and Body
$13.83
