“Before planting the new crops, families in my community pray so the harvest is successful. During the planting, we take care of our tools, we don’t just put them on the ground after we finish, we make sure to treat the soil with respect, we use organic fertilizers and in return, we get good corn. When crops start sprouting we give thanks by bringing flowers to the field. When it’s time to harvest, we celebrate with music, bringing more flowers and water, the whole community participates. Through this process we try to limit our meat and eggs consumption to restore some balance to the earth, that is what our grandparents taught us”.
-María Ignacia Vicente, Rug-hooking artist from the K’ich’e community of Chirijquiac
“My well-being rug design was inspired by a day that I spent in the countryside, gathering fruit from the apple trees. While I collected apples to bring to market, birds and other animals shared the harvest with me. To me, well-being means this idea of abundance: that there is enough, that both humans and other living beings can enjoy the fruits of the harvest.”
Carmen Cuá, Rug-hooking artist from the K’ich’e community of Chirijquiac.
“Maya spiritual guides carry out rituals before the first rain comes, to request Mother Earth that our crops grow healthy. They ask the four cardinal points and the natural elements for forgiveness for all the damage that humans have caused Mother Nature and thank them for the resources that they provide us and the opportunity to grow crops again. Then they make the commitment to look after the Earth during the harvesting season and beyond.
Others that have different beliefs do a thanksgiving ceremony at a church, bringing a sack of soil to be blessed, which is then taken to the field to cover the crops. We then share a meal with the corn and ask the Earth for permission to harvest there”.
-Petronila Jorge Set, Rug-hooking artist from the K’iche’ community of Quiejel.
“When I hear from my grandparents or look at old pictures, I realize how different things were before. Our ancestors supported the environment with daily actions. They used hand-woven baskets and textiles to carry food from the market instead of plastic bags. Our grandparents to this point use organic fertilizers on the soil that they make with the organic waste they produce, and are aware of how our every action impacts the Lake. Lake Atitlán was clean and clear before. Many people subsisted on the fishing that was done with respect to the lake. These days, that is no longer possible, but we should fight to bring those practices back.”
-Micaela Yaj, Embroidery Artist from the Tz’utujil community of Santiago Atitlán.
“My family uses hand-made bags and textiles made with natural fibers and leaves to carry our things. We refuse plastic bags and have acquired a commitment to save the water and protect it. I make sure to share information with my friends, at work, etc. about pollution and how it affects the Lake. I constantly ask people to pick up their waste when they throw it on the street. It is very important to me to create awareness in my community of how we can help the environment. Small daily actions go a long way, it is important to personally acquire awareness but also promote it along other people. Our priorities right now are to reduce waste, responsibly use resources and protect the water.”
-Micaela Yaj, Embroidery Artist from the Tz’utujil community of Santiago Atitlán.
“What we need to do to heal the environment is follow what our ancestors have taught us. We have to maintain the knowledge and transmit it to future generations. Our grandparents protected the Earth before us, now it’s our turn, we can’t let these customs die.“
-Petronila Jorge Set, Rug-hooking artist from the K’ich’e community of Quiejel
“I am teaching my children to take care of nature, plant trees and look after them, to respect animals and the sources of water. We are learning to recycle and separate waste. It’s important to educate our children about these topics to preserve what is left of the environment and help it recover.”
-María Ignacia Vicente, Rug-hooking artist from the K’ich’e community of Chirijquiac
