The cultural context of biodiversity conservation - Oapen

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Maize and beans
The cultural context of biodiversity conservation
Maize and beans are considered to be by far the most important staple crops in the
area. Intercropping of the two crops is very common, with maize stalks serving as
poles for the beans. Basically, they serve as complementary sources of carbohydrates
and protein. 16 In general, the maize planted in the sample communities is a white sort
(*saq ixim). Commonly, two sorts are distinguished, both of them hybrid varieties (H3
and H5). The former is of low height. After eight to ten weeks it starts to develop
small cobs with few leaves, which is inconvenient as it makes them more vulnerable to
animals and rain. This variety can be stored up to six months. The latter, which develops
higher stalks and bigger cobs covered by more leaves, needs three months to mature
and is preferred in both communities. An inconvenient aspect of this variety is
that due to the higher growth, the plants are more susceptible to be bent by the wind,
but the cobs can be stored up to one year. 17 The corn grains are used for making tortillas
(thin unleavened flat bread), tamales (ground maize with filling wrapped in a banana
or maize leaf) and atole (a gruel of maize and water), and likewise serve to feed domestic
animals. Particular parts of the maize plant are also known for their healing effects.
As an informant in Xucaneb explained, a traditional remedy to treat high blood pressure
and bladder complaints is made out of the silk of the cobs. The skin of the cobs
is also said to be useful to treat nausea and even the roots can be prepared in order to
staunch nose bleeding, insomnia and pancreatitis.
Fig. 5.6 The yield of maize is stored in a troja at the edge of the milpa
16 According to Flores Arenales (1999: 125), maize is not only a very nutritive crop but also a highly
resilient one. Moreover, supplemented with beans and modest amounts of vegetables, the crop provides
a complete diet.
17 Some farmers also plant yellow maize, since a programme implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Livestock and Food distributed the seeds among the villagers. Black maize was cultivated by a few
farmers in Roq-há, but in general is less commonly found in the area. Carter (1969) observed that in
the Guatemalan highlands, many more maize varieties were grown than in the lowlands. The difference,
he assumes, may be due to the fact that the lowland regions present a more extreme environment
for the crop, to which only few varieties are well adapted.