Mexico's Maya point way to slow species loss, climate change

[Judi Lynn]

Basic Materials | Fri Dec 30, 2016 | 1:00am EST

FEATURE-Mexico's Maya point way to slow species loss, climate change

By Talli Nauman

FELIPE CARRILLO PUERTO, Mexico, Dec 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Maria Yam Pérez scrambles eggs over a wood-saving, earth-block stove and stirs in freshly chopped chaya, a spinach-like jungle plant known for its versatility in cooking and medicine.

She points to the black soot from the hearth smoke, accumulated under the thatched roof, like tendrils of grey gossamer, and on the stick walls of the open-air kitchen.

"When a person has sweating, fever, chills, aches and cramps, this is used as medicine, mixed with honey, eggs and lime," she said. "If you go to the doctor and can't get relief, this is the traditional Maya remedy."

This day in December is a customary holiday celebrating the Mexican Virgin of Guadalupe, so later Yam Pérez will don indigenous Maya dress to join in feasting, song and dance with her family and 250 others in the community of Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/mexico-environment-climatechange-forests-idUSL5N1EO19N?rpc=401&

[Warpy]

1. They're not alone, either

A lot of civilizations have come and vanished with little trace after the climate changed. The Indus civilization in India is one; there are several long the Silk Road in Central Asia, and don't forget the Canyon de Chelly and Anasazi civilizations here in the southwest.

The descendants often remain, but fewer in number and greatly reduced in circumstance.