Abstract
The Itzamma Garden and Medicinal Plant Project is a collaborative effort focused on identifying traditionally important plants used by the Q'eqchi' Maya of southern Belize. The Garden represents a cornerstone of the project where these plant resources (~130 in total, of which 102 have been identified to the species level) are cultivated ex situ as a means of providing primary healthcare by traditional healers. Here, we present a comprehensive agro-ecological survey of the Garden describing the layout and cultivation scenarios, development challenges encountered, and associated implementation strategies for improving site practices. A general recommendation for the adaptation of this strategy to other localities is the thorough depiction of ecological features based on interactions with local practitioners, for example, leading to the effective cultivation of plants, the enhancement of soil, and the surveillance of crop nutritional status and medicinal potency. We consider that the ‘ethnobotanical garden approach’ could provide a collaborative ‘working model’ for rural development, especially indigenous communities interfacing with their local agro-ecosystems.
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Notes
Itzamma meaning “place of Itzamnaaj” who is a principal pre-Columbian Maya deity and “bringer of Itz” or life essence and health/healing.
For example, regarding the identification and preparation of medicinal plants, the implementation of daily garden practices, and the coordination of species transplantations.
For example: circulatory and respiratory disorders; digestive disorders; endocrine disorders; genitourinary disorders; nutritional and metabolic disorders; musculo-skeletal disorders; sensory and nervous disorders; poisoning; pregnancy, birth and puerperium disorders; skin, subcutaneous and cellular tissue disorders; general injuries and infections; and mental disorders.
During the wet season, the Golden Stream is commonly accessed by members of the Big Falls community as a site for artisanal fishing which supports the use of the Garden as a cultural centre.
Based on healer feedback, the plants’ medicinal quality is a primary factor underlying the likelihood of usage. However, we suspect that healer preference for remote ‘wild’ stock—for example, rare and (or) valuable species—could be associated to their protection of ‘secret’ plant resources which are not openly shared between different healers.
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Acknowledgements
This paper is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Knight who helped found the Itzamma Garden and the Belize Indigenous Training Institute. The project was made possible by funding from: the International Development Research Centre (IDRC-CRDI) of Canada (File # 105091) and the Aboriginal Health Research Network Secretariat (NEAHR-CIET) of Canada to JTA and TP; Discovery Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council (NSERC-CRSNG) of Canada to JTA; Canada Graduate Scholarship from NSERC-CRSNG to PA; and, NEAHR-Scholarship to BWR. Special project funding came from by Naturaleza Foundation and Indigenous Peoples Fund of the World Bank.
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BBMS. (2006). “Belize Ecosystems—Updated 5 April 2006” [map]. 1:500,000. Belize Biodiversity Mapping Service GIS Data [computer files]. Belmopan, Cayo, Belize: BERDS.
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Audet, P., Walshe-Roussel, B., Cal, V. et al. Indigenous Ex Situ Conservation of Q'eqchi' Maya Medicinal Plant Resources at the Itzamma Garden—Indian Creek, Belize, Central America. Hum Ecol 41, 313–324 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-012-9547-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-012-9547-7