Safeguarding ancestral practices through knowledge dissemination in Guatemalan rural communities

In the communities of Aldea Nueva, La Ceibita, and Piedras Negras in the Department of Jalapa, Guatemala, the community gardens are managed by three incredible women’s groups. While they play a major role in the creation and maintenance of the gardens, their children are also playing an active role in learning all about their ancestral knowledge, ancient foods and health.

“Right as you stepped into the gardens you sensed the humbleness, collaborative work, and the amount of ancestral knowledge these communities had on food and medicinal plants. More importantly, it was seeing women leaders emerge and passing this knowledge to other women and young girls in the community, including their daughters.” our Central America Program Coordinator, Daniela Bueso, mentioned about her visit in the blog: Women Reclaiming their Rights and Legacy.

When families take their turns weeding, cleaning or watering the garden, their kids come along and learn all about the plants they are growing, how to collect the seeds, help water the garden beds, and even partake in some of the harvesting of their produce. Sharing this knowledge with children from a young age helps protect and preserve ancestral practices for generations to come.