The cultural context of biodiversity conservation - Oapen

Local expressions of indigenous knowledge
5.1.4 Further subsistence activities
The various tasks associated with agricultural and forest gathering patterns are widely
augmented by further subsistence activities such as hunting and fishing. Besides the
gathering of plants and timber products, the forest fauna is of major importance for
the families' nutritional needs. In the two sample communities it has long been common
to hunt in the forests adjacent to the fields. To do so, fruit trees have been
planted in the forest and the guamil to attract wild animals that are regularly hunted by
several farmers. It is also very common to hunt the wild animals that damage the
crops on the fields under cultivation. As the aforementioned study undertaken by a
group of biologists of the USAC has shown, hunting follows an annual cycle, just like
other subsistence activities. In general, it is practised during the months of less agricultural
activity after the most time intensive work has been completed in February,
March, July and August. As a younger informant in San Benito explained, he went
hunting every fifteen days in the time between June and August when there was less
work to do. When the cobs start to appear, another farmer commented, wild animals
would frequently invade the fields in search for food. Thus, by protecting food crops
from predating animals, hunting, apart from its nutritional value, also contributes to
subsistence indirectly. The applied techniques include traps and weapons; dogs are
also widely kept for this purpose. Not all men hunt regularly. Some informants reported
that they do not hunt for lack of time or appropriate weapons. Several would
ask others who own weapons or dogs to hunt on their plots. A few informants explained
that they avoid the practice as they observed that the number of animals has
decreased notably due to the reduction of their habitat and overhunting. Specifically
they referred to species such as the tapir (Tapirus bairdii), called danto, which has almost
disappeared in the area and is only to be found within the limits of the National Park.
One of the most abundant species in the area is the armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus).
Table 5.6 Animals commonly hunted by farmers in San Benito
Spanish / Q'eqchi' English Scientific name
Armadillo /ib'oy armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus
Cabro / yuk brocket deer Mazama Americana
Coche de monte / k'iche' aaq peccary Tayassu pecari
Cotuza / aaqam Dasyprocta punctata
Mapache / ow racoon Procyon lotor
Pizote / sis coati Nasua narica
Taltuza / b'a gopher Orthogeomys sp.
Tepezcuintle / halaw Agouti paca
Venado / kej white-tail deer Odocoileus virginianus
Source: Field identification with Sindy Hernández and informants
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