Ixil Values - Written by the staff at Light and Life school.
1. Ixil language—Since it's the language of communication within their homes and their culture, they think it will continue. (Good reason for teaching in Language 1 to begin with.)
2. Food—They want to eat the way in which they're accustomed. They'd like to be able to afford more protein and fruit, but basically eat "their" food.
3. Respect—Children and young people greeting adults properly and being concerned about them. (I asked them why they had the children greet visitors to the school in the Spanish way. I think we've decided to use Ixil greetings except for one "Spanish" day.) This includes respect for property and other people's things. (We work on that all the time in the school.) This would include all the Biblical values.
4. Solidarity and Cooperation—People helping people. An example would be everyone arriving to help when someone is building a house. Old fashioned barn-raising for us.
5. Clothing—They especially want to keep the women's dress, although, the cotón (man's red suit jacket) is important for special occasions.
6. Weaving—They don't want to lose this art for a variety of reasons. It's beautiful, it represents them, and it is an important talent for the women to have both for self esteem and usefulness.
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