Maya Land: Listening to the Bees (2022) Screening
On Tuesday, September 24th, the Council of Latin American and Iberian Studies (CLAIS) at the Yale MacMillan Centerlaunched their Latin American Film Colloquia Series. In collaboration with Yale Environmental Humanities, they presented the award-winning film Maya Land: Listening to the Bees by Kata Beilin, followed by a Q&A session. Beilin, who earned her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, is currently a professor in the Department of Spanish andPortuguese at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also working on her forthcoming book, The Return of the Mayan Moment: A Struggle for the Forests, based on her research as a Fulbright scholar.
Beilin’s research centers on Mayan culture, with a focus on their resistance to Western society, which is reflected in their deep connections with the forest, land, and animals. Her film beautifully embodies this resistance, using music, stills, and imagery deeply rooted in Mayan culture to tell the story.
The film Maya Land: Listening to the Bees highlights the profound relationship between the Maya people of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and the native stingless Melipona bees, which they have traditionally kept for centuries. Thedocumentary delves into how beekeeping is more than just a means of livelihood; it is intricately woven into Maya culture, spirituality, and their deep connection to the land. One of the most powerful and poignant moments comes when an Indigenous individual declares, “We do not need to protect these animals; we need to learn to coexist.”
The film also showcases the political dimension of Mayan resistance, highlighting leaders at conferences, communitymeetings, and demonstrations, where they hold banners in their native language reading "No GMO." It explores the broader impact of environmental degradation, focusing not only on the loss of the bees but also on how large corporations have introduced genetically engineered crops and seeds, damaging the land and disrupting traditional Mayan agricultural practices. Additionally, it addresses the impact of modern agriculture, particularly the use of pesticides and deforestation. Despite these challenges, the film emphasizes the resilience of the Maya people and their efforts to preserve their cultural and ecological heritage through sustainable practices. Historically marginalized and unheard, the Maya are now using this struggle as an opportunity to unite, amplify their voices, and support one another in their fight for their land and way of life.
Another threat to the Mayan way of life: the environmental devastation caused by Mennonite ranches, which are rapidly clearing the jungle—one of the continent’s largest carbon sinks and home to endangered species like the jaguar. It highlights the complex social and political dynamics in the Yucatán, where the Mennonites, a historically marginalized group themselves, are depicted as the culprits of deforestation. Despite their own struggles to survive,their actions are contributing to the destruction of the Mayan jungle, adding yet another layer to the environmental and cultural challenges facing the region.
The segment on the Mennonites reinforces a deeper aspect of the Mayan people's struggle. Beyond the economicdevastation caused by deforestation and the decline in honey production, the Maya are experiencing a profound loss oftheir way of life. This loss transcends economics—it's a cultural and spiritual erosion tied to their connection with theland, animals, and centuries-old traditions. The film powerfully illustrates that this is not just a fight for livelihoods, but a battle to preserve the very essence of Mayan identity.
Moderated by doctoral candidate in modern Latin American History Polly Lauer, the discussion transitioned into a Q&A format, where audience members engaged with the deeper issues raised. The opening concern revolved around the European Union’s refusal to accept honey containing GMOs, which had triggered a wider discussion about the environmental and cultural impacts on indigenous beekeeping communities. This issue struck a personal chord with one audience member, who was from Brazil, acountry facing its own similar environmental crisis with deforestation. The participant highlighted how those who choose not to conform to harmful environmental practices face significant threats, including violence. And wondered if it were the same for those on the Yucatan peninsula? Beilin answered that while the film depicted activism that had received threats, it made clear that no murders had occurred.
The discussion then turned to the Mennonites, who are contributing to deforestation in the region. The focus was on their views regarding the environmental damage caused by their agricultural practices. Beilin explained that the Mennonite communities are split on how to tackle the issue, especially since their large families, often with 10 to 15children, make finding solutions more challenging.
Another audience member asked about the impact of the new Tren Maya in Campeche on the Mayan communities of the Yucatan Peninsula. It was explained that while the project could eventually boost tourism and benefit the Mayan people, it has caused deep divisions within families. Some support the train, while others see it as a threat to their traditional way of life.
The conversation explored how agriculture is intertwined with Mayan culture. Mayan beekeepers, especially those caring for the sacred Melipona bees, are facing significant losses due to the European Union’s policies. But beyond the financial loss, the deeper wound is cultural. Beekeeping is integral to their identity, values, and connection to the land.The women, in particular, have cultivated profound relationships with these bees, representing a broader harmony between their people and nature. As they lose their bees, they are forced to confront not only economic hardships butalso the erosion of their cultural heritage. The message became clear: “We do not need to protect nature but coexist with it.” This idea, echoed throughout the Q&A, tied into ongoing struggles for indigenous autonomy, where alliances between communities have grown stronger in the face of these environmental and cultural challenges.
By Rosa Alcala