Abstract
My research examines tree symbolism and land use by the indigenous Maya Lacandón community in the Lacandón Rainforest. Mapping and cultural heritage creation are eminent in establishing a Méxican landscape in the Lacandón Rainforest in Chiapas. Mayan archaeological sites such as Bonampak, Yaxchilán, Palenque, and partially excavated Lacanjá ruins became cultural patrimony markers for the Lacandónes and nation. The Federal and State maps created by the Méxican government were an act of appropriation of landscape detached from any sole authentic Mayan heritage. Instead, there was a desperate need to lay claim, control, and secure land that had once legally belonged to Guatemala as part of Mesoamerican heritage. Cultural heritage rights became a backdrop of land tenure and national security disputes. My work illustrates how land use among the Lacandón established not only self-identity, leading to rainforest conservation but also led to the establishment of environmental vernacular maps that oriented their lands among families and outsiders.
Presenters
Luz Martin Del CampoDoctoral Lecturer in Anthropology, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Kingsborough Community College-City University of New York, New York, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Economic, Social, and Cultural Context
KEYWORDS
Indigenous Counter Mapping, Gender, Rainforest Land and Resource Use
