Guatemalan Crafts

Lauren Hildreth
January 18th 2011
Peten crafts a future
This article may have been published over a decade ago, but I find it holds great value discussing the future of developing countries.
In places like Guatemala, there are still areas that remain undisturbed by industry or expansion. A lot of people live in villages that practice traditional means of living, which may be much more sustainable than the urbanizing areas of the country. The article talks of people living in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, which was created by the Guatemalan government to help protect Peten’s deforestation and habitat problems. Previously, new residents flocked to the land, but were unaware of how to use forest products and decided to cut the trees down to establish farms, ranches, and logging businesses. The people saw a change in the land. The effects of deforestation led to a longer dry season and the developed farms/ ranches hurt the growth of the forest surrounding it.
In the protected location, residents have forever been woodcarvers of the beautiful, and seemingly bountiful, forests. New traditions have been made by the people of Peten. The article includes the story of Rolando Soto, an artisan who creates sculptures from the fallen trees near his home. He has created the idea of ecologically based woodcarving; “showing the beauty of Peten hardwoods as a way of preserving them, teaching artisanry, and his ideas for a Peten community supported by income from renewable resources from the forest”. One of the tree species most used is Cericote, which grows quickly. Rolando not only created a sustainable lifestyle, but one of good income too. He explains that a family of ten can live of the proceeds from a carving a single tree.
This past summer I spent a month in Guatemala working with children at an orphanage and traveling as much as possible. I managed to go see the Mayan ruins, which is quite near where the article is talking about. While traveling around the country, as well as to El Salvador, I encountered many people who tried to live more “one with the earth.”
A new friend, Alex, owns a surfing-hostel on the beach in El Salvador and told me about his sustainability efforts. He explained the essence of community to me, where he fit into it, and what he wanted to contribute. As a firm believer in organic farming (animal and produce), Alex has plans to expand his garden, which already produces all of the vegetables used at his hostels restaurant, and raise his own chickens. Some of his goals are to provide an option for the community to get safe and healthy foods, live sustainably, and become more self-sufficient.
After visiting with Alex and traveling around the country, while reading an amazing biography of a man who lived in a 12X12 foot house without electricity and running water, I felt so inspired! My trip experiences opened my eyes to a new way of life and how I could possibly develop a career that related to sustainable living. I so excited to see where I fit into this remarkable lifestyle.

Stafford, K., & Crespi, J. (1994). Peten crafts a future. Americas, 46(5), 28. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.