NEWS

If there is anyone out there who cares about the fate of the Lacandones, the time to act is now.

Antonio makes offerings 2006
Antonio Martinez giving offering of balche to the gods. Photo by Suzanne Cook, 2006

April 12, 2009

I received sad news today that regards the latest in a series of events in the Lacandon community of Naha.
With the recent passing away of his son, Antonio has abandoned his gods, as they did not intercede in his son’s recovery. He has converted to Christianity, hoping that God will answer his prayers, now.

This is the latest blow to the survival of traditional Lacandón culture and religion, and there little hope that it will continue. Antonio Martinez was the last practitioner of the ancient Lacandón religion and the most devout of all Lacandones, northern and southern branches.

The rapid degradation of the culture was spurred by the passing away of Chan Kin Viejo in 1995, the northern Lacandón community’s last traditional civic and religious leader. After his death, the majority of the community turned their backs on the old religion, save for Antonio Martinez.

With Antonio’s recent abdication, there is now nothing to stop the total decline of the traditions. When Antonio dies, there will be no one left who will pass on the traditions to the younger generation.

It is fortuitous that Suzanne Cook and Barry Carlson were able to document a number of Antonio’s ceremonies and rituals, however minimal. What they collected was a mere drop in the bucket, given the great extent of Antonio’s repertoire. And, given the current economic climate and the dearth of funding to document endangered cultures, it is doubtful that any more of his knowledge will be documented before he passes away.

Please help by donating funds or in-kind support (transportation, materials) to help Suzanne Cook record what remains of the Lacandon traditions. Contact her at scook@uvic.ca.

You can also help by purchasing the Lacandon Ecoliteracy poster.