42 

 centers in the state and have Maya, mestizos, and large numbers of national and international tourists. 

 Most of the Maya in Quintana Roo live in villages, however. 



According to the 1983 census, there were 2,792 population centers in Quintana Roo, with 90% 

 containing fewer than 50 people each (Dachary and Amaiz Bume, 1984). The 11 largest population 

 centers (> 2,500 residents) have a combined population of 214,935 inhabitants (65% of the total 

 population). 



Maya at X-Hazil Sur live in two basic styles of houses. The traditional house is composed of 

 poles and thatch, measures about 4 by 6 m, and is rounded on each end (cf., Redfield and Villa Rojas 

 [1962], Webber [1980], and Villa Rojas [1987]). About 70-80% of the houses at X-Hazil Sur are of 

 this type. Almost all houses have electricity (usually one outlet and one 60 watt bulb per house) and 

 running water (usually one faucet located outside, near the front door of the house). Traditional houses 

 may have either a dirt or cement floor, while the walls may be of poles or plaster, and the roof may be 

 of tar paper or palm fronds (including Sabal yapa and Thrinax radiata). The modem house is of 

 masonry, has windows, is rectangular in shape, and usually has a cement roof. The masonry house 

 usually is less comfortable than the wooden house because air circulation is limited and the roof and 

 walls tend to radiate heat after sunset. Only a few of the masonry houses have modem conveniences 

 such as indoor plumbing or a kitchen with stove and running water within the house. Modem and 

 traditional houses are laid out in a grid pattem, about 50-100 m on a side, and 4-6 families usually 

 occupy a 1 ha block. Many households consisting of several nuclear or extended families have both 

 types of houses. 



Subsistence and Economic Activities 



The Maya at X-Hazil Sur conduct numerous kinds of subsistence and economic activities. The 

 main subsistence activity is to clear forested areas and plant a garden containing com (Zea mays; Ho 

 loch in Maya), beans (Phaseolus spp.; Buul in Maya), squash (Cucurbita spp.; Kuum in Maya), and 

 numerous other crops (Dachary and Amaiz Bume, 1983; Redfield and Villa Rojas, 1962; Villa Rojas, 



