Preserving Maya culture matters greatly to Filberto Rash and Dr. Gabriel Wrobel.
Rash, a Q’eqchi’ Maya and principal of the Tumul K’in Center of Learning in the Toledo District of Belize, spent a week on campus in January as a guest of Wrobel, a professor and associate chair of the Department of Anthropology. The two collaborate through Wrobel’s public archaeology work in Belize.
Through his school, Rash expands educational opportunities for Maya youth, focusing on the preservation of Maya culture for future generations. Wrobel sees their partnership as a natural extension of his commitment to public archaeology.
“Rash’s work is deeply rooted in cultural revitalization among Maya communities in southern Belize,” Wrobel said. “Together, we are exploring ways my research on Maya history can meaningfully engage with descendant communities in valuable and supportive ways.”
During his visit, Rash met with students and faculty from the departments of anthropology and psychology, as well as the College of Education. He delivered a presentation, “Embracing Maya Heritage: Creating Sustainable Development Through Intercultural Education,” organized by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. His talk highlighted the rich culture of the Toledo District and his school’s efforts to empower marginalized Maya youth.
“We share these traditions with the students so that we do not lose these practices,” Rash said during his presentation. “If we continue to lose our culture, we will cease to exist.”
Rash explained that the school’s name, meaning “a new day” or “a new beginning” in the Mopan language, was chosen to give students without educational opportunities a fresh start. With high poverty rates in Toledo, many had not been attending school, but with the establishment of the learning center, Rash believes there is hope for the future.
“Even if the students don’t further their education beyond the learning center, there’s a hope that they can use the skills they have learned to start a business on their own when they return to their community,” Rash said in an interview. “That was the biggest dream that ever came true for the Maya people in the Toledo District.”
Wrobel emphasized that a key aspect of their collaboration effort involves amplifying and acknowledging Maya heritage as part of their ongoing fight for land rights.
“By integrating archaeological research with community-driven priorities, we aim to reinforce their cultural identity while providing tangible support for their advocacy efforts,” Wrobel said.
Wrobel also noted the enthusiasm of the MSU community for Rash’s work.
“His school is small and underfunded, and I don’t think he realized that his work would be so well-received outside of his local community,” Wrobel said. “It appears he has connected with new partners here at MSU and I’m looking forward to helping foster those relationships in any way I can.”