The roots of modern farming and forest
lore stretch back to the ancient Maya,
who extracted coloured pigments from
a number of natural sources in the
Yucatán’s forests. These could be turned
into a paste to dye clothing, add to food
or to create paint for decorative and
artistic purposes. One of the most popular
sources used today is the achiote seedpod,
which is mixed with soil and water and
boiled for an hour or so to create a vivid
red pigment.
Life in the Maya Ka’an region continues
at much the same pace it has for centuries,
drawing on ancient wisdom and ways
of worship that honour the Mayan
population’s forebears and the forest.
HOW TO DO IT
Sumak Travel promotes ecotourism and Indigenous-
led initiatives in the Maya Ka’an. sumak-travel.org
Community Tours Sian Ka’an is a cooperative that
encourages awareness of Maya culture.
siankaantours.com.mx
Rutopía offers tailor-made travel experiences across
the Yucatán Peninsula. rutopia.com
124 NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.CO.UK/TRAVEL
MEXICO
