Sahcabá Revives ‘Green Gold’ as Artisans and International Support Launch New Henequen Era

Sahcabá, Yucatan — A high-level delegation visited the community of Sahcabá this week to launch an ambitious initiative to revitalize the historic henequen industry and diversify local economic activities, marking what participants called a historic step for the region’s artisanal economy.

The event, titled “Artesanía y Cultura en Sahcabá,” brought together international organizations, state authorities, and local collectives to develop a roadmap for restoring the legendary “green gold” of Yucatan to its former prominence.

The initiative resulted from coordination between the artisans’ group Manos Mágicas de México, the workshop Creaciones Edén represented by Reyes Patrón Cimé, and local authorities.

The tour of workspaces included key figures for economic and tourism development: Marcos Knupp, a UNESCO representative from Brazil, whose presence highlighted the heritage value of Sahcabá’s artisanal techniques; Rigel Arturo Moo from the Yucatan Institute of Entrepreneurs (IYEM); and Adonais Cuj from the Secretariat of Tourism Development (Sefotur).

The delegation’s primary goal was to gather firsthand requests and petitions from master artisans. Officials aim not only to increase the economic value of their pieces but also to project Sahcabá’s work to national and international markets, ensuring ancestral knowledge of henequen production does not disappear.

The tangible outcomes of this first technical visit focus on three fundamental areas for the community: henequen promotion, sustainability, and equipment.

For promotion, officials seek mechanisms to increase fiber production and improve the commercialization chain for handicrafts. Regarding sustainability, they processed the installation of a melipona apiary, which will allow families to produce high-quality honey and contribute to local flora pollination.

Finally, for equipment, they formalized requests for materials and work tools so artisans can professionalize their processes without losing their manual essence.

For artisans, the visit represented hope that their craft will receive fair recognition. Reyes Emilio Patrón, who helped facilitate the connection, said, “Our hands have magic, but we need support to reach other places. The visit from the UNESCO doctor and government people makes us feel Sahcabá has much to offer. We want henequen to become our families’ livelihood again.”

Commissioner Aurora Sulub emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “We appreciate that they came to see how our people work. We’re not just asking for support—we’re showing we have the willingness to work. With the apiary and work materials, Sahcabá will give people much to talk about in tourism and handicrafts.”