BBtv WORLD: Migration, and a Mayan Sweat Bath. (Guatemala)

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In episode 2 of our new BBtv WORLD series, Xeni reports in from a K'iche Maya village in the Guatemalan highlands, and we step inside a traditional Mayan steam bath, or "tuj."

This pueblo began as a settlement camp for"environmental refugees" -- people who became displaced after mudslides and floods caused by Hurricane Mitch made their ancestral village unsafe. Survivors packed what belongings they could on their backs and walked miles to a bare patch of cold, windy mountaintop nicknamed "Alaska" for its extreme microclimate.

Nearly ten years after the disaster and the subsequent loss of their homes, these people are still struggling for survival. Their traditions are a source of strength, and today we experience one of them -- a small brick hut filled with hot volcanic rocks, steam, and herb branches gathered from nearby mountains.

Related BBtv WORLD episodes:

• BBtv WORLD: Through the eyes of the pueblo. (Guatemala)
• BBtv debuts "BBtv World" series. Episode 1: El Molinero (Guatemala)

(image: Xeni Jardin)

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Sponsorship note: The BBtv crew wishes to thank Microsoft for underwriting this episode, and generously supporting the launch of the "BBtv World" series. In this ongoing video series, we will be looking at the intersection of social causes & technology around the world from a number of perspectives. Through their new "i’m Initiative," Microsoft shares a portion of the program's advertising revenue with some of the world’s most important social causes when users email or IM with tools such as Windows Live™ Messenger and Windows Live Hotmail®. For more information, visit imtalkathon.com or im.live.com.

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• [ValledeBravo]

  These steam baths are called Temazcal (Temascal?) in Mexico, and yes, they are very, very nice. Although for some people they can be a very uncomfortable experience, since generally it’s a very cramped, low ceiling room which is often pitch black (although in some Temazcales the rocks can get hot enough to glow, cool!).

  The more out-of-the-way places in Mexico sometimes have a Temazcal hut, if any one here is interested in the experience.

• [ulor]

  @2,

  Just to be a devil’s advocate there was less of a discussion and more of a don’t talk about it, talk about the video, but hey *smirk*

  Secondly, My Dad spent time in Guatemala as a young man and so it is amazing to see some of the things he talked about experiencing. His stories always seemed so strange to me. He was from a lower class family, but due to the difference in wealth between the US and Guatemala he actually had maids sometimes in the places he lived. Also he talks about learning to cook there and learning Spanish. He also remembers getting lifts w/ the local guerrillas from both sides and how nervous he was about it.

  Wonderful video and amazing footage.

• [Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Moderator]

  Sorry, my error. This thread is open for comment.

  (Note: We really did discuss the sponsorship thing in the comment thread of the first video in this series.)

• [mdhatter]

  This BBtv World concept is just awesome. It reminds me of the best of current.tv

  Brava!

• [Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Moderator]

  I owe everyone an apology for the snafu with the comment threads this afternoon. Sorry about that. We had a collision between two firewalls, one of them mine. I responded by making six mistakes in a row.

  I think I can confidently promise that I’ll never, ever do that again if I can possibly avoid it.

• [ababyrobot]

  That little kid is incredibly cute.

• [Bledsoefilms]

  Cheers, MDHATTER,

  I take that as a great compliment!

  Derek Bledsoe
  Segment Producer, BBtv

• [Agent 86]

  Video of Xeni taking a bath! (well, kinda)

• [GuabaMan]

  Very interesting (and educative ;) )
  Why the whispering?