Indigenous Mayan Families Fight to Preserve Backyard Animal Tradition in Umán

Residents of Umán, a municipality located in the southern part of Yucatán, have expressed their displeasure over a new regulation prohibiting the rearing of farm animals, such as turkeys and pigs. This practice is a common tradition among thousands of indigenous Mayan families in the region.

María, a resident of Dzibikab, one of 17 communities with a Mayan population in Umán, keeps chickens and turkeys in her backyard for her family's consumption. This practice, which has been passed down through generations, is now under threat. The City Council of Umán, home to 57,000 residents, announced on its official website that keeping backyard animals and wildlife would be prohibited. The announcement urged residents to comply with the new regulation to avoid potential fines.

María Koyok, also from Dzibikab, voiced her concerns about the new measure, which she considers unfair. "What do we do with the animals we are raising? We catch them, kill them, and eat them. If we can't do that, what will we do?" she asked. When questioned about the potential fines, Koyok firmly stated, "I would not pay it."

The announcement sparked controversy, annoyance, and uncertainty among the community, as it did not specify when the regulation would take effect or the amount of the fine for keeping animals at home. The post was removed from the Umán City Council's official page shortly after it was published, and Mayor Kenia Walldina Sauri later confirmed that the information was incorrect.

"It was a mistake," said Sauri, "The post was made by the communication department and was removed from the City Council's page as soon as I saw it."

Rearing birds, pigs, and calves is a tradition among thousands of indigenous Mayan families. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), in 2020, there were 519,000 indigenous Mayans out of a total population of 2.3 million in Yucatán.