Discover the Distinctive Agricultural Practices of the Mayan People Through These Photos

For centuries, the Mayans in Guatemala have utilized a distinctive agricultural methodology combining sustainability, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship. The “milpa” system intertwines nature with various cultivated crops (as depicted above), including corn, squash, and beans.

This approach emphasizes the long-term advantages of sustainable land management, moving away from exhaustively depleting resources. The United Nations has recently acknowledged it in a Report identifying eight Indigenous Food Systems capable of mitigating the severe impacts of climate change and achieving the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

This newfound acknowledgment of traditional agricultural practices is part of a broader initiative led by the Indigenous Mayan community to reclaim their heritage and assert their identity in contemporary Guatemala. This resurgence also encompasses the promotion of traditional crafts, including those by 61-year-old Valeriano Lopez Mendez (shown above), as well as traditional Mayan clothing (illustrated below) and basket weaving rooted in cultural customs and language.

Lake Atitlan (illustrated below), a cornerstone of the ancient Mayan civilization, has emerged as a pivotal focal point for this contemporary movement. Within these lakeside communities, past and present converge, fostering a lifestyle that cherishes and advances all facets of their civilization.