41 

 the garden. Other men indicated that it was a way to placate the Maya gods and avoid potential 

 misfortunes. While these actions superficially resemble the practices of cargos (burdens) or promesas 

 (promises) reported for highland peasant communities (Dumond, 1977), the Maya do not accrue 

 prestige by these activities (Bums, pers. comm.). In adjacent villages, herbalists (both male and 

 female) also treat various illnesses. While these people are treated with respect by village residents and 

 receive a small compensation for their services, they are not afforded permanent or formal recognition 

 and do not accrue prestige or political power over time. 



Primary school attendance is mandatory in Mexico. Students at X-Hazil Sur can attend grades 

 K-8 locally. Secondary school attendance is voluntary. Students willing to pay tuition may attend 

 school in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, about 30 minutes away by bus. In an effort by ejido residents to 

 reduce the costs of attending secondary school, in 1990 a secondary school was opened at X-Hazil Sur 

 where instruction takes place via television (telesecundaria). 



X-Hazil Sur residents also may attend post-secondary classes in nearby towns. Technical 

 courses, such as accounting and hotel management, frequently are taught in Canciin, Chetumal, and 

 Felipe Carrillo Puerto through various government programs. Increasingly, young adults are 

 completing their education and obtaining jobs outside of X-Hazil Sur. 



Settlement Patterns 



Maya Indians in Quintana Roo presently live in a wide variety of villages, towns, and cities 

 throughout the state. Most of the villages, such as X-Hazil Sur, have little commercial activity and are 

 inhabited ahnost solely by Maya people. Since X-Hazil Sur is larger than other nearby villages, it also 

 has a school, medical clinic, and satellite television system. Village stores are linked to those in towns 

 by traveling salesmen who represent specific product lines, such as soda pop, bicycle parts, and 

 groceries. The variety of merchandise, however, is limited. Towns, such as Felipe Carrillo Puerto, 

 are larger than villages and have local government offices, important commercial activity, and are 

 inhabited by both Maya and mestizos. Cities, such as Chetumal and Canciin, are the largest population 



