A major theme here in Chiapas is that of protecting and honoring traditional knowledge. This is a land forged by the revolution of the zapatistas, a movement that gave voice to a massivly oppressed population. The indigenous of Chiapas and Mexico continue to be persecuted as witnessed by the rage in Oaxaca where protesters are currently burning government buildings, or by the unpublicized massacres that are occuring in the jungle. BOrn out of these struggles are many organizations that are fighting to maintain traditional knowledge as well as create economic opportunites for the impoverished peoples of Chiapas. For example is OMIECH an organization directed at preserving indigenous knowledge related to medicine, including the practice of midwifery and use of herbal medicines. OMIECH has created an ample museum discussing the cosmovision behind Mayan healing techniques, as well as an herbal apothecary where you can purchase your cough syrups or tea blends for what ails you. Invested into this interest is a desire to retain this knowledge in the hands of the people who are born into it, i.e. the Mayan midwives. A term that is commonly used in the world of ethnobotanists, herbalists, and anthropologists is bio-piracy, described as the appropriation of biologically based knowledge by outsiders (read pirates) for their economic benefits, such as a pharmaceutical company prosepecting for new drugs. The fear is that these pirates will capitalize on these ventures without giving anything back to the communities ($$). While bio-piracy is a true threat of which I have genuine interest, no topic is ever cut-and-dry. Since arriving in San Cristobal I have attempted to make a conneciton at OMIECH to try to reveal local plants that can be used for very common disorders affecting pregnant women ( anemia, swelling, promoting labor) to be used by local women, only to have the door closed on me. Let it be known that my motives were well described with information provided on the organization that I am working with. My intellectual question is, ¿is there a point at which protecting knowledge be comes concealing it, contributing to a further loss of knowledge, or one that causes this knowledge to become theoretical rather than practiced because it is not shared? Is the desire to have a finacial reward for knowledge prohibiting its dissemination, and worse preventing its access to its very community? These are topics that I dwell on as I find myself religated to books to try to discern useful medicinal plants, rather than having the honor to learn from those who tightly hold onto this knowledge.
On another note, we welcome to the world this morning Octavio, born into the simple home of Angelica. THis birth was a reminder that the miracle of life transcends any economic situation, that the spark of life is perceivable in all corners, rich or poor. The act of this birth was also a deep reminder of the ecstasy of love...how the moment of birth is a sexual experience, brought on by love, propelled by the horomones of sexuality, how the child is birthed through orgasm, at which point that new little life enters into the world to be brought to the breast of its mother who calls out to her child "aye mi rey" (my king).
hugs and kisses, abrazos y besos
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