May Blog - The Mayan Cosmovision and waiting for the first rains: A Reflection on Nature's Rhythms in the Highlands of Guatemala

In Tzununa, nestled within Guatemala's highlands, the arrival of rain is more than a mere meteorological event—it's intertwined with the spiritual fabric of Mayan culture. At Wellkind, where our focus lies on reforestation and environmental education, the late arrival of rains has tangible implications for both our work and the communities we serve. Rain is the life-giving force that brings with it plentiful harvests and changes the landscape around Lake Atitlan dramatically. The shoreline of the lake is covered in seasonally Dry Tropical Forests which are brown in the dry season but become lush and green again in the first weeks of the rainy season. Insects come out of the ground and the streams that had run dry are full again flowing down from the forests down to the sacred waters of Atitlan. All of these natural cycles hold deep symbolism to the indigenous Kaqchikel, Tzutujil, and Quiche Maya communities that live in this part of Guatemala. 

Mayan spirituality is rooted in the interconnectedness between humanity and nature. The rituals performed by Mayan shamans, or "ajq’ ij," are emblematic of this belief, as they interpret natural signs and offer prayers for bountiful harvests. Ceremonies were held in the caves outside of the city of Solola on May 27th to ask for rain as local people were worried about the late coming of the rainy season. The delayed arrival of the rains also prompted conversations within our communities about climate change and its impact on traditional farming practices. As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, Mayan farmers face new challenges in planting their crops and managing their land. 

For us at Wellkind, the rain is essential for the success of our reforestation efforts. The delay tested our patience and resolve as we awaited the nourishing touch of water for the saplings  we are going to plant and the ecosystems we strive to protect. Together with the communities we serve, we eagerly anticipated the rains, knowing that they are crucial for the health of the land and the people. 

Thankfully, after much anticipation, the rains finally arrived just a couple of days ago. It was a moment of relief and celebration, highlighting the resilience of both nature and the indigenous communities of this region. Antonio Canel the Manager of our reforestation program said “the rains came late this year so our team has been worried that it would throw off our schedule for our reforestation activities but thankfully our worries are over now.” Our team is now preparing to distribute the trees from our native tree nursery and the trees that we are sourcing from neighboring tree nurseries. It is a busy and exciting time for the Wellkind reforestation team as we have to transport trees, visit reforestation sights, and distribute saplings to beneficiaries. As we witness the first small landslides on local roads due to heavy rainfall in the last days we are reminded of the importance of planting trees to keep the mountains stable and prevent erosion. The weather is becoming increasingly unpredictable, at Wellkind we aim to help local indigenous communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change through all our initiatives.