Living in Harmony with the Environment: Maya Mam Cosmovision & Environmental Education in Cajolá

Grupo Cajolá: Empowering Communities Through Education, Culture, and Sustainability

by guest contributor Endrit Kelmendi

The Mam (Maya) cosmovision, deeply rooted in the worldview of Guatemala’s Indigenous peoples, presents nature, humanity, and the cosmos as an inseparable whole. This understanding—documented through the teachings of the Maya and reaffirmed in the Mam language—recognizes that the universe, the earth, and human beings share a single origin and energy. Everything that exists is alive, sacred, and interconnected.

Grupo Cajolá, based in the highland town of Cajolá, Guatemala, embraces this worldview in its mission to empower local families through education, culture, and sustainable development. Its goal is to build a future where migration is a choice, not a necessity—by strengthening the community’s capacity to live with dignity and balance within its own land.

According to the Maya cosmovision, the elements of fire, water, air, and earth are not resources to exploit but living entities that sustain life. The Maya people see themselves as part of the universe, rather than separate from it. This perspective establishes a foundation of respect, reciprocity, and equilibrium between humans and nature. The Mam understanding teaches that when balance is broken—when one element dominates another—disharmony arises, affecting the whole.

Environmental education in Cajolá follows these ancestral principles. Grupo Cajolá’s educational and conservation initiatives seek to reconnect young generations with this inherited knowledge. Through programs centered on community gardening, reforestation, and ecological awareness, children and families experience the land as a living classroom. Projects like the Early Childhood and Literacy Program and youth leadership workshops teach students to care for both the natural and cultural landscapes that sustain them.

The Maya cosmovision defines the earth, or Ulew, as both mother and teacher. She is not inert matter but the very essence of life, containing the energy that nourishes all beings. In Cajolá, this vision aligns naturally with Grupo Cajolá’s emphasis on sustainable practices—composting, organic agriculture, and responsible resource use. The organization’s Green Cajolá initiative and ecological training projects embody this living philosophy, showing that each act of cultivation or restoration is a ceremony of renewal that maintains harmony between people and their surroundings.

Education, in this context, extends beyond the classroom. It is a collective process rooted in values of mutual respect and community solidarity. Grupo Cajolá’s projects emphasize cultural revitalization through Mam language preservation, traditional weaving arts, and intergenerational teaching. By integrating environmental science with Indigenous knowledge, the organization ensures that ancestral wisdom remains relevant and practical in addressing challenges such as deforestation and climate change.

Economic sustainability is another cornerstone of this balance. Grupo Cajolá supports multiple cooperatives that strengthen local livelihoods while preserving cultural identity. The MayaMam Weavers cooperative provides dignified work for women artisans, connecting traditional textile techniques to fair markets. Café Cajolá promotes local coffee production and roasting, while the Tikonel Construction Cooperative creates employment for skilled workers who build community infrastructure using sustainable methods. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how economic progress can honor both culture and ecology.

Central to the Maya understanding is the principle of complementarity—every force has its counterpart, and all opposites sustain each other in balance. Day and night, male and female, sun and rain are not oppositional but relational. This holistic framework teaches that human actions have consequences beyond the visible world. When individuals act with gratitude and awareness, they strengthen the bonds that sustain the cosmic order.

The cosmovision also emphasizes the sacredness of communication and dialogue. In traditional Maya thought, knowledge is shared through storytelling, ritual, and observation of the natural world. Grupo Cajolá continues this legacy through cultural events, Mam language classes, and art workshops that celebrate identity and collective memory. These community gatherings revive traditional wisdom and reinforce a sense of belonging among younger generations.

Grupo Cajolá’s efforts to strengthen family unity and reduce forced migration are also guided by the Mam cosmovision’s principle of balance. By creating opportunities for dignified work and education within Cajolá, the organization helps families remain together in their homeland. Programs for returning migrants and youth training provide paths to stability and pride, ensuring that migration becomes a choice born of opportunity rather than necessity.

In today’s world of ecological crisis, the Maya cosmovision offers a profound alternative to consumerism and exploitation. It reminds humanity that the earth is a living being, not a commodity. Grupo Cajolá’s initiatives embody this truth by nurturing harmony between people and the environment. Through collective action, education, and sustainable livelihoods, the people of Cajolá are protecting their ecosystems while reaffirming their identity and right to remain rooted in their ancestral land.

Harmony, in the Mam sense, is not static—it is a living process of renewal. Every act of planting, weaving, teaching, or cooperation contributes to equilibrium. As Cajolá continues to grow, its people demonstrate that ancient wisdom can guide modern sustainability. Through the unity of education, culture, and ecological care, Grupo Cajolá continues to honor the ancestral principle: when we care for the earth, the earth cares for us.