What a day we had here in the Mayan ruins here in Copan! Our original plans for hiring a guide fell threw, but every thing happens for a reason; we found Yobani. He started his career studying to be a guide then changed to a focus in eco-tourism. Only a few years later, he started his own company here in Copan. In working more closely with the local people, he has found that some forms of eco-tourism can disrupt and even destroy a culture. He now devotes his time to redefining eco-tourism in the area to make it more of a partnership with the local indigenous communities.
To give you an example, most eco-tourists say "don´t cut the trees for firewood!" If the villagers in this area do not cut trees for their fires a signifigant piece of their cosmology and tradition will be lost. In the spiritual sense, the smoke from their fires is a means of connecting with Spirit. No smoke means the connection with the upper world is lost. That first smoke from their morning fires is also a sing to their Spirit saying "we are here, we are still alive". Also, the smoke from the traditional open-pit fire coats their celing with black soot and in the ight, this becomes their ¨sky", a close and visible sign of the Spirit within their own homes.
Yobani's future plans include introducing a more efficient lorena-type wood stove that would reduce the amount of trees being harvested, yet also honor the local traditions. What an amazing example for us as we search for sustainability in action!
- Steve (Resident Counselor)