Abstract

SANCHEZ-MIDENCE, Luis A.  and  VICTORINO-RAMIREZ, Liberio. Guatemala: traditional culture and sustainability. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2012, vol.9, n.3, pp.297-313. ISSN 1870-5472.

This article has the objective of delving into the relationship there is between nature and culture, for the particular case of Guatemala. With this aim, we describe in detail a journey through Guatemala's history, the ethnic identities of its inhabitants, and the cultural characteristics of these. In particular, emphasis is made on the normative scope of indigenous culture and spirituality of Mayan ancestry, in relation to the management of their natural resources expressed in the levels of environmental sustainability attained. Also described, in general terms, are the conservation strategies for Guatemala's natural resources and the scarce results in containing their deterioration. The need to establish an inter-ethnic dialogue is highlighted, that could make possible rescuing, validating and incorporating the indigenous Mayan vision to those strategies, in search for the design and implementation in Guatemala of an authentic ecological current that recognizes and promotes the local efforts to conserve nature, with a multi-cultural approach.

Keywords : environmental conservation; culture; ethnic groups; identity; inter-culturalism; natural resources.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )