The K’axk’ol ’: the ancestral community service of the Baquiax clan
In Totonicapán, in western Guatemala, the Baquiax Partiality relies on the K'axk'ol ', an unpaid ancestral community service, to protect its forests and water sources. For one year, all those over 18 years of age provide a community service for the benefit of their natural resources and their development as a community.
The clan Baquiax is a community located in an ancient forest protected by the local inhabitants themselves. These forests provide water to different communities in the municipality of Totonicapán, in western Guatemala. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
The community, made up of people of Maya K'iche 'origin, is managed by a Board of Directors, whose members are elected by popular will during General Assemblies in which all inhabitants over 18 years of age participate. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez / Viatori
Kax'kol is served by both men and women. Activities are carried out as rangers, nurserymen, guardians, and everything that the community requires to get ahead. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez / Viatori
The Vásquez clan is another community in Totonicapán, with its own board of directors. Community participation is carried out under the figure of Kax'kol, a word in K'iche 'that means' service'. Each inhabitant over 18 years of age is obliged to provide unpaid service to the community. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez / Viatori
"We have learned to detect what types of trees we should plant," said a woman from the Baquiax clan. All the species found in the nursery are native to the forest. Photo: Andrea Valdez / Viatori
One of the kax'kol that is carried out is that of a nurseryman, which consists of collecting seeds from native trees and sowing them in controlled environments and then reforesting the areas of the forest that require it. Photo: Andrea Valdez / Viatori
Gracias al servicio comunitario, o kax'kol, este bosque ubicado en el occidente de Guatemala, sobrevive y provee de diferentes servicios ecosistémicos a los pobladores de la zona. Esto se ha logrado sin ningún apoyo estatal. Foto: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
The inhabitants of the Baquiax community subsist thanks to the raising of cattle and agriculture. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez / Viatori
Nature tourism is one of the activities that could generate income for the communities of Totonicapán, mainly in times of pandemic, where people seek more outdoor activities. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez / Viatori