Author Argues that Mayas Continue to Transform Merida, Despite Discrimination The News
go to original January 14, 2013

Excerpt from 500 Nations about discovery and people of the great Mayan Empire. (katydidscorner)

The city of Mérida would not exist without the Maya people. Though Mayas have been fundamental to the city’s development from the colonial period to the present, most live today in conditions of poverty and discrimination in the municipality, a new book argues.

Jesús Lizama Quijano is a researcher at the Center for Research and Higher Studies at Social Anthropology’s Yucatan peninsula campus. In his new book “From Pueblo to City: White Mérida’s Maya Shadow,” Lizama Qúijano argues that Maya labor continues to transform Mérida, despite the discrimination the people suffer, their low salaries and lack of educational opportunities.

Lizama’s book is based on research conducted in Mérida’s Maya communities.

Though more than 90,000 Mayas live in Mérida, making it the municipality with the highest indigenous population in the state, only 11.5 percent speak their native tongue outside of their families, he says.

He reports that in the municipality of Tadziu, on the other hand, 90 percent of the population speaks Mayan, which preserves their culture, builds understanding and allows residents to share rituals and traditions.

When Mérida Mayas leave their homes, he said, they leave their culture behind as well.

They also face a bevy of discriminatory epithets like “indio” (Indian), “indígena” (indigenous person), “mestiza” and “mayita” (little Maya). Phrases insulting the Mayan language are also common, including “lengua de perro” (Dog’s tongue); and ridiculing their culture, like “puro frijol comes” (you only eat beans).

Despite the harsh conditions they face, Lizama says, the Mayas have not stopped migrating to Mérida in search of better jobs, schools, services, incomes and living conditions.

Lizama discovered evidence of official discrimination as well. Despite the 90,000 Maya residing permanently in Mérida, the municipality only has one indigenous primary school, according to his research.

His results show that the Maya are relegated to service in domestic and other industries, and that nearly 74 percent of the Maya population works at least two minimum-wage jobs.

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