Q'omaneel in San Juan La Laguna

The son of our guide at Q'omaneel

Before my Canadian friends, Zoe and Kurt and their two sons, left for Roatan, Honduras, they decided to buy a painting by Felipe Ujpan whose studio is in San Juan La Laguna. They invited me to join them. We decided that we would also visit a cooperative called Q'omaneel (Association of Traditional Midwives and Health Promoters of San Juan La Laguna). There a group of Tz'utujil Maya women grow over 20 species of medicinal plants and hand-make various products from them, such as shampoo, soap, cream, tea, aromatic candles, etc. We would never have found this cooperative, had Felipe not led us there. The guide at Q'omaneel took us on a very thorough tour of the garden, explaining all of the health benefits of each herb.

In the garden of over 20 medicinal plants

Tz'utujil Maya woman roasting seeds in the garden

He then took us into the laboratory where the women process the herbs into natural products. He pointed out that because the women were illiterate, they follow instructions in the form of drawings on the wall.

The laboratory

This cooperative takes special pride in displaying the ancient way the Maya people have used these medicinal plants to promote healing and good health. Not only does the cooperative help the women workers earn a very modest living (they make a couple of dollars a day), but it also preserves and promotes awareness and appreciation of ancient Maya customs.